The Path to Circular Blood Collection Tubes
For this year's Global Recycling Day on March 18th, we explored the potential of circularity in the field of medical devices with Nermina Cuzovic, Expert Global Sustainability at Greiner Bio-One International. Nermina has a passion for protecting the planet and believes that sustainability is everyone's job.
Sustainability at Greiner Bio-One
Sustainability involves having ears, eyes, and hands on the pulse of the organization and integrating sustainability topics and practices across the matrix organization and cross-divisionally. "Sustainability listens to and collaborates with R&D, purchasing, supply chain, operations, sales, and management to understand their sustainability needs and challenges and how to translate those challenges into activities and results," says Nermina. By collaborating across the organization, Greiner Bio-One ensures that the company meets its sustainability goals, complies with regulations, and operates responsibly.
Achieving Circularity for VACUETTE® Tubes
To achieve circularity for the VACUETTE® tube, many things need to align. Nermina outlines some high-level requirements: "The quality has to be consistent, which means we have to ensure recycled materials have uniform optical quality for compatibility with the instruments. Of course, 'recycling-friendly design' must be implemented, so the tubes can be easily disassembled and processed.
We would have to implement efficient collection systems partially integrated into customer infrastructure for sorting, initial cleaning, and transport. Also, we have to validate decontamination processes to manage risks and comply with waste and transport laws as well as establish ongoing partnerships with healthcare providers, instrument vendors, recycling companies, and regulatory bodies. The use of digital tracking for transport and disinfection processes would ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, supported by clinical evidence. And finally, we have to educate healthcare professionals and the public about the benefits of circular products and include these processes and products in relevant guidance documents."
Regranulation System in Hungary
One of the exciting projects at Greiner Bio-One Hungary is the implementation of a regranulation system. The Industrial Waste Reuse Concept, initiated in 2017, aims to reuse clean, transparent polystyrene (PS) production scrap from Greiner Bio-One production sites. "Our facilities in Rainbach and Hungary have been successfully separating uncontaminated scrap from the start and are now collecting around 100 tons of clean PS scrap annually," Nermina explains. The recycled material is utilized in the production of petri dishes, 5ml pipettes, and centrifuge tubes.
Thank you so much for the insights into your job and the challenges and opportunities for circularity, Nermina!
Nermina Cuzovic, Expert Global Sustainability at Greiner Bio-One
Importance of Recycling in Medical Devices
Recycling and using recycled materials are essential for creating circular products, especially single-use medical items. Recycling reduces the need for new resources, lowers environmental impact, and cuts down on waste. "Single-use medical products generate a lot of waste, which is often incinerated after use. Incineration requires a lot of energy, leading to a high carbon footprint, and releases harmful emissions and ash into the air, soil, and water," Nermina highlights.
