At Elos Medtech, sustainability is integral to our operations. We continually strive to enhance the sustainability of our factories and products, reflecting our commitment to environmental responsibility. Today, we focus on a critical aspect of sustainability in the medical device industry: sterile packaging.
Challenge 1: Sterility
When it comes to medical devices, maintaining sterility throughout their shelf life is paramount. At Elos Medtech, ensuring product sterility remains our top priority. This commitment drives every decision we make regarding packaging materials and design.
Challenge 2: Use of Recycled Materials
One of the challenges we face is the use of recycled materials in packaging. While using recycled materials aligns with sustainability goals, stringent regulatory requirements necessitate knowing the origin of all materials, including packaging components, particularly for sterile barrier systems. Currently, the lack of traceability hinders widespread adoption of recycled materials in medical device packaging.
Challenge 3: Making Packaging Recyclable
Designing recyclable packaging is a clear objective for Elos Medtech. However, practical challenges exist, particularly in healthcare settings where materials used in operating theatres are often considered contaminated post-use. Consequently, most materials are treated as non-recyclable waste. Despite these challenges, we are proactive in preparing our materials for future regulatory changes. By ensuring our packaging materials are recyclable when feasible, we anticipate and facilitate compliance with evolving recycling protocols.
Challenge 4: Reduction in Packaging Waste
Addressing the amount of packaging used is an area where Elos Medtech can make an immediate impact. Through innovative design strategies, such as optimizing blister pack sizes and reducing outer packaging dimensions, we significantly reduce material waste. This not only minimizes environmental impact but also enhances efficiency in transportation and storage, contributing to a lower carbon footprint associated with our products.
In our next blog, we will delve deeper into how Elos Medtech is actively addressing these challenges today. Stay tuned to learn more about our sustainable initiatives and our ongoing commitment to delivering environmentally responsible solutions!
~ by Sofie Höchstetter, Vice President Sterile Solutions at Elos Life Science
