Medtech Sustainability Forum

Sustainability in medical device design has become an increasingly important consideration for manufacturers, decision makers and end users. It is recognized that not only are sustainable medical devices better for the environment and attractive to consumers, but they can also offer business benefits in terms of cost savings, investor attractiveness, and improved brand and competitive advantage.

Plastics are a major component in many medical devices, providing the benefits of sterility, safety, durability and quality for the healthcare industry. But these often single-use plastics come with significant environmental consequences. Over 32 billion pounds of plastics were produced globally in 2020 for the healthcare industry, and it is expected that by 2025, it will grow to 48 billion pounds. The medical industry produces an estimated 1.7 million tons of plastic waste annually in the United States. This is about one-third of the waste in intensive care and anesthesia, and 30% of all healthcare waste. Conventionally, the used plastics are either disposed of in landfills or incinerated. Only a fraction of the plastic waste is recycled. This leaves a huge waste burden, much of which is uncontaminated and recyclable.

Introducing sustainability into medical plastics has been a recent topic of discussion. Recycling medical plastic waste is possible if properly coordinated between the healthcare and recycling industries. New recycling technologies are being developed to increase sustainability. Moreover, the plastics used in medical applications should be designed such that recycling is possible.

Join us in this discussion with global medical technology companies, medical industry stakeholders, academics and researchers in plastics engineering, subject experts and standards professionals/regulators on how new technologies and processes are being used to advance sustainability in medical plastics.

Beyond the medtech sector’s primary goal of improving health outcomes, we acknowledge that preserving a healthy environment and building socially responsible value chains are essential in keeping humans in good health. The medtech industry can be at the forefront of addressing sustainable healthcare challenges, and we feel that sustainable and circular solutions are the key to addressing these issues.

Session topics will include:

• Government Legislation Driving Advances in Sustainable and Circular Plastics and Packaging
• Building a Strong Business Case for More Sustainable Medical Plastics and Packaging for the Healthcare Industry
• The challenges of designing for Reuse, Recovery, Reprocessing and Remanufacturing of Medical Devices - Plastics and Electronics
• Startup Studio – Highlighting Innovations in Medtech Sustainability

This event is co-presented by ACTION Innovation Network and UMass Lowell Innovation Hub.

Host or Publisher ACTION Innovation Network