COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and
Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company,
and a consortium of health care institutions in Denmark have innovated a method to recycle
used blood collection tubes without compromising hygiene, safety or
quality of the material.
BD partnered with Odense University Hospital, the Health
Innovation Centre of Southern
Denmark, the Danish Technological Institute, the Global
Material & Asset Fund and EcoFITT ApS to conduct a feasibility
study, which focused on used blood collection tubes from
laboratories. The study shows that these used tubes, which are made
from high-quality polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, can be
cleaned, shredded and molded into other types of new articles.
"Single-use plastic revolutionized health care, but we know
there are environmental considerations that come with this critical
innovation," said Amit Limaye,
director of the BD Sustainable Medical Technology Institute. "BD is
working with like-minded partners to drive sustainable innovation
that will help reduce the environmental footprint of our product
portfolio, while maintaining our high standards of patient safety,
quality and efficacy."
Used blood collection tubes are considered biohazardous and
regulated medical waste, and in Denmark, they are currently disposed through
incineration. Considering the nature of their application, used
blood tubes cannot be cleaned and reused like some other medical
devices made of glass or metal. However, PET plastic is highly
suitable for recycling and is one of the most recycled plastic
materials. Further research is required to determine the best
method for cleaning and recycling that optimize both the quality of
the material and the climate impact of these processes. The study
shows that by transitioning from incineration to recycling, 33
tonnes of high-quality plastic would be diverted from incineration
within the region each year.
The collaborative effort was funded by the Region of
Southern Denmark and is part of a
broader effort to further progress toward Denmark's Climate Action Strategy, which aims
to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent in
2030 compared to 1990 levels. To learn more about this study, visit
the website of Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark, and to learn more about BD's
commitments to net zero emissions, visit the BD newsroom.
About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical
technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of
health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery
of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of
health care by developing innovative technology, services and
solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and
clinical process for health care providers. BD and its more than
70,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the
safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable
laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance
researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of
diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every
country and partners with organizations around the world to address
some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in
close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes,
lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand
access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit
bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at
www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/, X (formerly Twitter) @BDandCo or
Instagram @becton_dickinson.
Contacts:
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Media:
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Investors:
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Jessica
Offerjost
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Adam Reiffe
|
BD Public
Relations
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Sr. Director, Investor
Relations
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201.258.0964
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201.847.6927
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jessica.offerjost@bd.com
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adam.reiffe@bd.com
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SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)