A groundbreaking collaboration between FrostPharma, Mälarplast, and Stora Enso has yielded a significant advancement in the health sector, with the development of biocomposite hazardous waste containers. These innovative containers are set to make a substantial difference in the healthcare industry by significantly reducing emissions, and providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional plastic containers.
The hazardous waste containers are designed to manage waste generated from various medical, veterinary, laboratory, and dental procedures. After use, they must be incinerated to ensure safe disposal and minimize the risk of exposure to hazardous waste.
Across Europe, a uniform standard is applied for these waste containers, including regulations mandating their incineration after use. Consequently, millions of these containers are incinerated, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions, a pressing concern for the European health sector as it strives to enhance sustainability.
Reducing Emissions by Over 50%
FrostPharma, in collaboration with Mälarplast and with support from Stora Enso, has introduced a range of hazardous waste containers known as WoodSafe®. These containers are crafted from biocomposites, a renewable material consisting of Nordic wood fibers and bio-based polypropylene (PP).
“The product line is called WoodSafe®, and it consists of seven containers in different sizes. They are already in use, the results are great, and it’s been well received by the market,” notes Peter Wall, CEO of Mälarplast.
An independent life cycle assessment compared the environmental impact of WoodSafe® waste containers to the most commonly used alternatives available in the market. The results revealed that using WoodSafe® containers can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 66% compared to containers made from virgin plastic.
“Our mission was to lower the carbon footprint from the healthcare sector and create a sustainable, yet safe, alternative to today’s products,” explains Henrik Alfredsson from FrostPharma.
The outcome is WoodSafe®, a product manufactured in Sweden using renewable raw materials. These containers are easy to integrate as they maintain the same sizes and handling procedures as traditionally used containers.
Clinical waste containers rank as the third-largest source of plastic waste in the healthcare sector. Danderyd’s Hospital in Sweden has recognized the positive impact that transitioning to WoodSafe waste containers can bring.
“This new product reduces our climate impact. The only difference from the old waste container is that it smells like wood. Otherwise, no difference, they are great and easy to work with,” says Johanna Albert, Anesthesiologist at Danderyd’s Hospital.
WoodSafe® products adhere to UN3291, ISO23907, and ADR standards, ensuring they meet all regulatory requirements for hazardous waste disposal.