Stimulating waste separation in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

This design thesis explored the possibilities of recycling medical waste from the Intensive Care Unit of the Erasmus MC Hospital in the transition towards Circular ICUs. Through a combination of qualitative research methods, such as observations, interviews and waste audit, the medical context and the waste composition were explored. By selecting the most promising waste types for recycling, proposals for their collection and following parts of the waste journey were prepared.

In close collaboration with the main stakeholders and several sessions with the nurses, two directions for the final design were defined. Both solutions bring part of the waste stream upwards in the hospital waste hierarchy, ensuring better environmental scenarios in the short term. The first part of the design provides a process for separately collecting the packaging of special infusions bags used for dialysis. This process is aided by several physical and graphical tools which help the waste generating group, the nurses, to integrate the separation into their practices easily and correctly. The second part of the design promotes the correct usage of existing waste shredders through simplified rules and aided decision making.

By implementing the proposed solutions, nearly 10.000 kg of plastic waste can be derailed from incineration towards mechanical recycling, and 2000 kg of infectious waste can be saved from high intensity hazardous waste incineration. The overall environmental impact of the design is calculated to reach a reduction of 26.000 kg CO2 yearly and more importantly, poses an example to other hospitals, that recycling of their waste is a possible scenario.