In the past two decades there has been a greater focus on ensuring that waste materials are managed properly in order to protect public health and the environment.

Health care facilities have different waste requirements than other types of businesses and the question remains: “Can health care facilities also go green?”

The use of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) in medical devices has proved indispensable in reducing the risk of life-threatening and health care-acquired infections.

As a result, today almost 30 percent of all plastic-based disposable medical devices are made from PVC which is highly recyclable.

A large number of case studies and research projects have been conducted regarding the separation of recyclables from general and health care risk waste with the purpose of reducing both waste management costs and the impact of the health care facility on the environment.

The Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) is in the process of establishing such a pilot project whereby PVC medical waste will be diverted from landfill contributing to the vision of “Zero Plastics to Landfill”.

Download technical paper here.