reprocessing

Lessons healthcare manufacturers can learn from other industries about medical device reprocessing.

Medical device reprocessing is not a new concept, but the popularity of recycling is increasing as companies both

in and out of healthcare become more eco-conscious. Innovative businesses that use device reprocessing include BMW, Ritz Carlton, and Rolex.

In this article, we will look at best practices healthcare manufacturers can learn about medical device reprocessing from these three businesses.

Types of medical device reprocessing

Medical device reprocessing is the industrial process medical equipment undergoes so that facilities can use them again. Reprocessing has two different meanings in healthcare depending on whether you are working with a reusable device or a single-use device. ʯ Reusable Device Reprocessing is the strict cleaning and treatment practices technicians use to sterilize medical equipment and prepare it for future use.

ʯ Single-Use Device Reprocessing is the recycling of used devices to create parts for new equipment.

Johnson & Johnson is leading the way in medical device reprocessing. They offer reprocessing services for both their machines and equipment from other manufacturers. Medical device reprocessing for single-use devices saved an estimated $8.6 million. They also kept around 281,000 pounds of regulated medical waste out of landfills.

Here are some other examples of item reprocessing, based on practices by BMW, Ritz Carlton, and Rolex.

BMW implements a circular economy

BMW recently unveiled its new plans for creating a more sustainable future. Their targets include: ʯ Lowering CO2 emissions ʯ Consistent implementation of circular economy

Circular economy refers to planning products by following a circular pattern. The circle includes the planning, designing, production, and end of life of the product. They want to increase the number of secondary materials they use in manufacturing to as high as 50% through reprocessing. They have also partnered with recycling organizations to help them keep plastics out of landfills.

They also created RE: BMW CIRCULAR LAB. This communication and experience platform helps educate and spread awareness about the benefits of a circular economy. They post regular news updates and host workshops where consumers can be part of the solution.

Ritz Carlton furnishes hotels with recycled materials

The Ritz-Carlton revolutionized the hospitality industry with strategies that reduce waste through innovative recycling practices. They have dozens of processes in place that help their hotels run more sustainably. Here is a look at some of Ritz-Carlton’s recycling practices. ʯ Kept 3,900 tons of debris out of landfills by recycling more than 80% of hotel construction ʯ Furnished their rooms with products made from recycled leather ʯ Developed suits from recycled plastic bottles for some departmental uniforms ʯ Printed information on post-consumer waste recycled paper ʯ Built meeting room tables from recycled aluminum

Rolex remakes watches from recycled products

Rolex watches represent more than just a timepiece that lasts a lifetime. They are also an organization founded in the belief that we should devote our lives towards making the world a better place – which they support through their Rolex Awards for innovative pioneers.

They also support environmental efforts through their reprocessing practices. The company created a sustainable product life cycle that reprocesses materials from their watches at the end of the product’s lifespan. The company accepts old watches from consumers who no longer want it or can no longer use it.

In their facilities, the staff retrieves any usable part of the watch, such as its Bezel, bracelet, and mechanical components. These parts are refurbished for use in lowerend models. In addition, the staff will meltdown other metal parts to reform new watches.

5 key strategies

Here are five takeaways for healthcare companies from the previous examples about reprocessing.

No. 1. Plan the full lifecycle of your devices. You can create a circular economy in healthcare by looking beyond how to create products. Instead, build a plan that follows the device through your healthcare supply chain and to the end of its life, including a sustainable disposal method.

No. 2. Educate consumers about sustainable prac-

tices. Sustainable living is a global issue and requires worldwide participation. You can help spread awareness by educating healthcare professionals about more sustainable practices, including reprocessing in their facilities. One way of encouraging eco-friendly practices is by hosting events that give healthcare workers and distributors a close-up view of the medical device recycling process and a chance to ask any questions. In addition, these events are a way to build trust with your distributors and clients.

No. 3. Refurbish used products. Healthcare manufacturers can refurbish both one-use and reusable items to decrease their waste. However, recycling one-use items still requires adherence to a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory’s (NRTL) code to ensure the equipment is safe and fully working before you sell it as a new product. When studying the regulations for reprocessing medical devices, you should pay special attention to instruments you cannot refurbish due to health risks.

No. 4. Create new products. Sometimes you can’t refurbish a product because it is beyond repair or unsafe to do so. Unfortunately, this is the case for many one-use plastic products. Instead, you can use those products to create new parts or donate them to a manufacturer that produces non-medical equipment with recycled parts.

No. 5. Offer recycling services. Rolex and Johnson & Johnson both showed how their facilities also offered recycling services. These services increase the chances of your customers recycling their devices because they don’t have to search for a facility that accepts used medical equipment. In addition, in both businesses, they took products from other manufacturers, which benefits them as they receive additional recyclable materials. It also helps the earth by reducing landfill waste.

Help improve the environment starting with your business

You can be a voice for the environment by supporting worldwide organizational efforts to reduce waste through reprocessing. Your manufacturing company can begin implementing some of the strategies you learned today and educate your clients about proper medical device disposal through your online content.

Contact us to learn about our content services and how we can help you spread the word about the benefits of medical device reprocessing: https://sharemovingmedia. com/contact-us.