The “Polyphant” by artist Rebecca Banens is made from the waste from 200 cataract operations. It is mostly clean packaging, made of plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene. They go into the incinerator, when they could be recycled just fine.
How much polyphants can healthcare save by reducing the amount of plastic or recycling plastic more often? Maike Tietschert and Erik van Raaij of the Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management figured it out. Are you curious about how healthcare institutions are addressing the elephant and greening healthcare? Then join them on Circular Safari.
First Safari: the LUMC
Healthcare professionals at Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) are also looking for ways to reduce plastic packaging. In late February, professionals, students from the Thesis Lab Green Care and sustainability and innovation managers were given a tour there and saw how the ICU and pharmacy are working on reducing their footprint. By using less plastic, but also by looking at joint purchasing and opportunities for compostable medication bags and by preventing food waste.
Visit to Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC)
Skip the elephant: come and see our neighbours in May
On 15 and 27 May, we will visit again. Skip the elephant and join us on Circular Safari. Hear how professionals are making the switch to green care at the new Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus MC and at Van Straten Medical/GreenCycl. Growing food, “Greening Care Together”, “Green champions”, sustainable roof gardens, medical device repair, washing instead of throwing away, local recycling factories for hospital waste, scientific research into behavioural change in the workplace, the obstacles and successes: it's all on the menu.
