Outpatient Surgery magazine reports that a
number of surgical device and supply manufacturers has teamed with
waste management and recycling companies to form the Healthcare
Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC). The group includes Becton,
Dickinson and Company, Cardinal Health, Engineered Plastics,
DuPont, Hospira,
Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly Clark and Waste Management.
The press release announcing the HPRC's formation
states:
HPRC is currently engaged in three initiatives aimed at enabling
recycling of select plastics. The first initiative, healthcare
plastics value chain mapping, is focused on defining the healthcare
value chain and identifying issues and barriers along the value
chain that disable plastics recycling. The second initiative,
design for recycling guidelines, is focused on developing a
document that articulates product and packaging design
considerations that could enhance recycling potential and value.
The third initiative, pilot study programs
