Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
At Case Medical, we support the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. When done right, these practices can help healthcare facilities create less waste and save money. Doing it right means considering the three Rs in order: first reduce consumption of single use items, then make sure that what you buy is reusable for as long as possible, then recycle what’s left to avoid disposing of it in a landfill. There are also more Rs to consider beyond these three. The folk singer Pete Seeger cared so much for sustainability that he even wrote a song about it, click here to listen to it.
Replace to Reduce Single Use Items
When it comes to packaging, the most sustainable package might be no package at all. That’s fine for something like a banana, which comes with its own biodegradable packaging (a peel). That doesn't work for instrument reprocessing as medical devices need to be kept sterile, until needed, in some type of sealed packaging. Replacing blue wrap with container systems can eliminate waste and give you a better return on investment. Blue wrap is made from polypropylene, a plastic that simply doesn’t break down in a landfill. Blue wrap wouldn’t even make it to a recycling center because it is disposed of as medical waste.
Repair to Extend Reuse
Metal is the ideal material for durable container systems and aluminum is simply the best of all because it is light weight and highly thermo-conductive. Aluminum trays and containers reprocessed in steam sterilizers can last decades as long as they are cleaned with pH neutral detergents. With heavy daily use, though, especially in low-temperature sterilizers where they are exposed to hydrogen peroxide, aluminum containers may eventually degrade, unless they are washed and rinsed thoroughly after each use to remove any peroxide residue. Nevertheless, if you see any surface damage that isn’t too severe, a steam autoclave cycle may repair the damaged surface and restore the surface seal, extending the product’s useful life. Plastic containment devices that need to be wrapped, cannot be repaired.
Reimagine Recycling
Aluminum has one of the highest recycling rates of any material, and aluminum recycling shouldn’t be limited to beverage cans. Any metal object can be recycled over and over without losing quality. That includes aluminum trays and containers. If containers show signs of discoloration or deep scratches, they should be taken out of service before they become corroded. But they shouldn’t go into the landfill. Old aluminum trays or containers can become a new metal object—perhaps another tray or container or maybe sometime entirely different.
Repeat and Re-evaluate
Finding ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, isn’t a “one and done” activity. Instead, think of it as a circular loop. How can you reduce the amount of products you recycle? Case Medical can help you find the ideal solution for your facility. Case Medical, a U.S. EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year has durable, and reusable products to help and certified instrument chemistries to preserve the life of your reusable devices. Contact us to explore what’s right for your hospital or surgery center. As said by Pete Seeger, “Reduce, reuse, recycle: a formula for a greener, cleaner future.”
Case Medical has developed the smartest container and the most intuitive instrument tracking program. Together they are integral pillars of our 360 degree approach to instrument processing. They can help your facility transition away from paper, while improving SPD efficiency and OR utilization. Reach out to us at [email protected] to schedule a demo with us today.
