Abstract
Purpose
With a shift to single-use products in interventional radiology (IR) centres for sterility and cost reasons, it is prudent to consider the burden of packaging and employ efforts to assess and reduce waste, as well as promote recycling wherever possible. This study aimed to quantify the amount of waste in IR packaging and what proportion is recyclable.
Materials and Methods
A range of IR products were weighed using mass scales. Products were assessed for total weight, overall waste, and potentially recyclable waste. Waste was defined as any packaging which was not considered vital to the product to perform its duty and thus was for packaging or shipping purposes. Products were pooled into one of the following categories: catheters and sheaths, wires, needles, devices, coils, and packs/ancillary.
Results
Seventy-two different products were collected from 26 manufacturers to represent a range of items. The weight of all products was 12,466 g (median 51, range 2–1600), and weight of waste was 6830.7 g (median 34, range 1.1–732). The weight of recyclable waste was 5202.2 g (median 11.5, range 0–701). There were median 2 waste packages per item (range 1–5). The proportion of waste of the overall weight was 54.8% and of this, 76% of all waste was potentially recyclable.
Conclusion
There is a significant burden of waste in manufactured IR products, and while a high proportion is recyclable, we encourage manufacturers of IR products and devices to consider alternative means of transport and packaging of products which will reduce the overall waste burden.
Level of Evidence
Level 3.
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Acknowledgements
The team would like to acknowledge the Department of Radiology at Alfred Health and their efforts in recycling of IR product waste.
Funding
This study was not supported by any funding.
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Approval was obtained by The Alfred Human Research and Ethics Committee prior to performing this study.
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Clements, W., Chow, J., Corish, C. et al. Assessing the Burden of Packaging and Recyclability of Single-Use Products in Interventional Radiology. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 43, 910–915 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-020-02427-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-020-02427-3