Infusion bags are used in large quantities worldwide, and their single-use nature generates significant plastic waste. In intensive care units, each patient produces around 17 kilograms of waste per day, with approximately 23% coming from fluid bags and tubing (Shiran et al., 2025). At Erasmus MC, these products are currently not recycled, adding to both environmental and financial burdens.

The project proposes a solution:
Ivy - a redesigned infusion bag system that enables full recyclability while maintaining existing hospital workflows. The primary focus was on material science and recyclability, addressing the current mismatch between materials and recycling processes. Ergonomics and handling were also evaluated to enhance usability, but the main objective remained to enable full recycling of infusion bags and explore additional improvements where possible.
By rethinking materials and manufacturing while keeping usability in mind, Ivy demonstrates how small yet strategic design changes can lead to meaningful progress toward circularity in healthcare.