PVC IV bags are getting a second life at all 10 Southern Cross Healthcare hospitals across New Zealand as part of the healthcare provider’s partnership with Baxter Healthcare.
The collaboration with Baxter Healthcare aims to reduce medical waste and repurpose plastics for other uses by diverting medical plastics from landfills and processing them into new materials for playgrounds and other products.
Greg Nelson, head of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) at Southern Cross Healthcare, revealed that the initiative has recycled 4.25 tonnes of plastics in 2023.
“Each Southern Cross hospital has fully embraced the opportunity to recycle IV bags and reduce our environmental impact, so it’s amazing to think all this plastic, which otherwise would’ve gone into landfill, can now help to keep children safe and create new spaces beyond the operating theatre,” he said.
The program involves collecting used IV bags, which are then processed by Matta, an Auckland-based surface coverings provider.
Baxter Healthcare funds the recycling process, while Southern Cross staff manage the collection and storage for pick up.
“Since May 2023, some Auckland Southern Cross Hospitals have also been recycling sterilisation wrap. It’s a large-volume waste product across the whole healthcare industry. At Southern Cross, the plastic is collected by recycling and waste solution provider Green Gorilla before being sorted by the Abilities Group and processed by Future Post into products primarily for agriculture, viticulture, and other uses,” Nelson said.
“Since 2009, our Plastic Recycling in Hospitals programme has diverted thousands of tonnes of medical waste away from landfill,” said Paul Clark, marketing manager of IV solutions and sustainability at Baxter Healthcare. “We’re proud to be part of a more sustainable healthcare system, and we’re committed to continuing our efforts to reduce our environmental impact.”
Last month, Southern Cross Healthcare boosted its Te Ao Māori integration by enhancing the understanding and connection of Southern Cross staff to Te Ao Māori.
