A device for lower carbon medical waste disposal

The onsite treatment reduces carbon emissions from transporting and incinerating waste

Spotted: More than 59 million healthcare professionals “require continuous PPE supplies” as they work to care for increasing numbers of patients and comply with the latest safety standards. Made largely of non-biodegradable materials, the PPE, along with the large volumes of plastics used in the industry, contribute to the mountain of medical waste disposed of by healthcare organisations.  

Israeli technology company Envomed has created a method that reduces the carbon footprint of such disposal needs. The Envomed80 is an on-site medical waste treatment machine that reduces transport costs and carbon emissions, disinfects potential contaminants, and eliminates the risk of sharps. 

In just 18 minutes, the machine treats 80 litres of medical waste. Sharps and liquids, as well as pharmaceutical, infectious, and pathological waste are all combined and treated simultaneously. The machine first shreds all waste before sending it through a chemical sterilisation process and agitating it. Called Biocetic, the chemical combines peracetic acid with hydrogen peroxide. It is completely biodegradeable at the end of the treatment process.  

There is no smell or noise during disposal and any resulting liquids are safe to be sent through the organisation’s regular drainage systems. The leftover shreds of materials are safe for disposal in the organisation’s regular rubbish collection system.  

Envomed also provides validation kits for clinics and hospitals to document as per their local regulatory standards that the waste is sterilised. And as part of its service, the company also provides a database of waste management news and techniques called Waste-ipedia to help organisations stay on top of the latest technologies and processes.  

Other innovations in Springwise’s library highlighting some of the ways medical waste is being transformed include upcycling PPE into new plastic polymers for industrial uses and a circular process for reusing laboratory plastics. 

Written By: Keely Khoury