PLASTIC
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Plastics Recycling in Hospitals and Home Dialysis
Project Description
The ‘Plastics Recycling in Hospitals’ project is a multi-stakeholder initiative by BCSD Malaysia. It aims to collect non-contaminated high-quality used Plastics medical products for recycling into useful secondary raw material to be used for the manufacturing of new products.
Plastics account for about one third of a hospital’s general waste, most of which is sent to incinerators or landfills in Malaysia. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely used in healthcare in IV fluid bags, tubing, oxygen and masks. PVC is identified on products or packaging by the Plastics Identification Code ‘3’. It is estimated that PVC represents 25% hospital plastic waste.
Each tonne of recycled PVC will replace about one tonne of virgin PVC compound in new products, consuming 80% less energy and reducing carbon emission.
This initiative is based on the program successfully supported by BAXTER and implemented by the Vinyl Council of Australia which began as a pilot at Western Health in Victoria in 2009 and has since grown to encompass over 230 hospitals across Australia and New Zealand.
Do not hesitate to get in touch if you wish to get involved and contribute.
Click the image below to see the PVC Recycling Poster for Hospital Staff.
Project Partners
