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Sustainable packaging

Sustainability in Medical Device Packaging: What Elos Medtech is Doing Today

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In our previous blog, we discussed the key challenges of achieving sustainability in medical device packaging, including the need for sterility, the use of recyclable materials, and the reduction of packaging waste. Today, we’re excited to share how Elos Medtech is actively addressing these challenges through innovative practices and forward-thinking strategies. As we prepare for future regulatory changes, our commitment to sustainability is stronger than ever.

Leveraging Post-Industrial Recycled Materials

One of the initiatives we’ve undertaken is partnering with Medipack, a supplier that uses post-industrial recycled material for our blister packaging, This is virgin material, so traceable and can be used in our industry. This collaboration allows us to reduce waste by reusing materials that would otherwise be discarded, aligning with our commitment to sustainability without compromising the integrity of our packaging.

Preparing for Regulatory Changes with Mono-Material Packaging

Currently, regulations require that all materials from operating rooms be incinerated, preventing the recycling of many medical device packaging materials. However, we are proactively working on developing mono-material packaging solutions that will be fully recyclable as soon as authorities permit. This means that when the regulations shift, Elos Medtech will be ready to offer packaging that meets both safety and environmental standards.

Minimizing Packaging Size to Reduce Environmental Impact

One of the most significant ways we are reducing our environmental footprint is by minimizing the size of our packaging. Smaller packaging not only decreases the amount of material used but also reduces the volume required for transportation, sterilization, and storage. For instance, we have developed ultra-small blister solutions for screws, and we are capable of designing similarly compact blisters for other products. This approach directly cuts down on waste and energy consumption across the supply chain.

Sustainable Material Selection

Sustainability starts with the materials we choose. At Elos Medtech, we only use FSC-labeled cardboard for our boxes, ensuring that the paper products come from responsibly managed forests. Combined with our use of Medipack’s blisters made from post-industrial recycled material, we are committed to offering packaging solutions that are as sustainable as possible. Additionally, we work closely with our clients during the development phase to create packaging concepts that are both effective and environmentally friendly.

Reducing CO2 Emissions in Our Supply Chain

We’re also focusing on reducing CO2 consumption by sourcing all of our packaging materials from European suppliers, most of whom are based in Germany (although we do have several regional suppliers). By keeping our supply chain local, we significantly cut down on transportation-related emissions, further supporting our sustainability goals.

Innovating for Waste Reduction

Looking forward, we are planning to sell our PET waste for recycling, ensuring that even our production byproducts are handled in a sustainable manner. By separating waste by material type, we can ensure that it is recycled to the highest possible standard. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to minimize waste throughout our operations.

Long Shelf Life, Less Waste

Finally, our packaging solutions are designed with a high shelf life—up to seven years. This durability ensures that repacking, which often leads to additional waste and energy use, is rarely necessary. By extending the lifespan of our packaging, we help reduce both environmental impact and costs for our customers.

Conclusion

At Elos Medtech, our commitment to sustainability in medical device packaging is evident in the actions we’re taking today. By leveraging recycled materials, innovating with packaging design, and reducing our carbon footprint, we are leading the way in sustainable practices. As regulations change, we are already prepared to meet the challenges and continue delivering packaging solutions that protect both our products and the planet.

Ready to collaborate on sustainable packaging? Contact us to see how we can help you meet your sustainability and packaging goals.

Sustainable packaging Elos Medtech

Sustainability in Medical Device Packaging: The Challenges

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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.

Cleanroom sterile packaging

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.

Sterile packaging at puracon Elos

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

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Creating a healthy and supportive work environment for employee well-being

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In the fast-paced and demanding world of work, it is crucial to prioritize the mental well-being of employees. Mental health directly impacts employee productivity, satisfaction, and overall job performance. In this blog, we will discuss several strategies that we implement to create a healthy work environment by promoting physical health, setting clear job expectations, conducting regular check-ins, monitoring workload and burnout, and leading by example.

Foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and open communication

Creating a work environment where every employee feels valued and respected is crucial. By encouraging open communication, we ensure that everyone’s opinions are heard and diverse perspectives are valued. This culture of inclusion promotes teamwork, positive relationships, and collaboration. It means our teams are happy to discuss any issues they have before they become an issue.

Recognize and reward employees’ efforts and achievements

Acknowledging and appreciating employees’ hard work and contributions is essential for their motivation and job satisfaction. We regularly recognize and reward employees’ efforts. This boosts morale, enhances productivity, and creates a positive work environment. These will vary in form from our different sites but can include an employee of the month or a sponsored trip to a congress.

Flexible work arrangements

Where possible, allowing for flexible work hours or remote work options helps accommodate individual needs. This flexibility promotes work-life balance, reduces stress levels, and boosts employee satisfaction and productivity. We view each case individually but have had changes in hours to cover collecting children from school or looking after an elderly relative.

Mental health benefits

Providing mental health benefits as part of our employee healthcare is paramount to us. We design all our workspaces to promote well-being, these design features include. natural lighting, comfortable seating, and spaces for relaxation or meditation. It’s not just about the environment but how you use it. We encourage regular breaks and use of the designated areas for relaxation.

Promote physical health

Physical and mental well-being are closely interconnected. We encourage regular exercise to help reduce stress, improve mood, and increase energy levels among employees. By prioritizing physical health, we believe this directly contributes to the mental well-being of their staff.

Workload and burn out

We are very conscious of the effect burnout can have on our teams so regularly monitor workload to prevent this. We encourage teams to take regular breaks and leave to keep them refreshed. We follow up on our work environment and its effect on mental health as part of our yearly employee survey.

Finally, we lead by example. We show all our employees that we value mental health by practicing self-care and encouraging others to do the same.