Conference | Session 2: Substainability (Développement durable)

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) is a private, technical consortium of industry peers across the healthcare, recycling, and waste management industries seeking to improve the recyclability of plastic products and packaging within healthcare. Founded in 2010, and made up of globally recognized members, HPRC engages in pioneering projects designed to help boost plastics recycling efforts in clinical settings of hospitals. Committed to continuous dialogue, HPRC explores ways to enhance the economics, efficiency, and ultimately the quality and quantity of healthcare plastics collected for recycling. In this presentation, you’ll hear about:
• The collaborative approach of HPRC
• Examples of HPRC project work
• Opportunities to get involved with HPRC in Europe
 

Single use auto-injectors are popular for self-administration as the users are not in direct contact with the syringe or drug pre-injection. They are simplified so it is easier to use as it is all prepared, requiring just a button press. This is particularly relevant to emergency situations.

The single use auto-injectors are disposed of in a sharps bin as medical waste, which is then incinerated. However, only the syringe is technically considered to be medical waste. Therefore more of the device than necessary is being discarded as medical waste, wasting resources and affecting the environment.

PA has developed a eco-friendly concept by
• Replacing standard materials with biocompatible/ biodegradable materials
• Separating auto-injector into medical and non-medical waste could make recycling an option

According to Investopedia, “A black swan is an extremely rare event with severe consequences. It cannot be predicted beforehand, though many claim it should be predictable after the fact.” According to Accenture, a playbook includes “process workflows, standard operating procedures, and cultural values that shape a consistent response—the play. A playbook reflects a plan,an approach or strategy defining predetermined responses worked out ahead of time.” In short, a playbook shows maneuvers that form the pieces and parts to getting something done – in this case, exiting PVC. Key strategic factors covered in this playbook: cost, time, regulatory risk.
• Banning PVC: A “Black Swan” event for pharmaceutical flexible packaging
• Machinery Play – maneuvers required for modifying or replacing packaging equipment for non-PVC materials
• Operations Play – maneuvers required at the operational level, including efficiency
• Regulatory Play – maneuvers of what has to be done to establish equivalence
• User Interface Play – maneuvers required to manage the impact of non-PVC structures on the user experience
• Observations for the future…