Implementation of medical plastic waste segregation and decontamination for sustainable recycling in healthcare

Abstract

Medical plastic waste management is a growing global concern, especially in healthcare settings. The study focused on the implementation of medical plastic waste segregation at the point of use in four wards of the KNUST Hospital, Kumasi (Ghana). Specifically, targeted products, such as syringes and intravenous bags made of polypropylene and polyethylene, that have not come into contact with blood or bodily fluids were collected to obtain raw materials for a mechanical recycling setup. Autoclave sterilization was found not practically suitable for medical plastic waste decontamination for mechanical recycling. Continuous awareness creation, training, repeated short presentations at staff meetings and staff inductions, and quality checks are cardinal to implementing an effective medical waste collection system. The average daily weight for the IV bag and syringe were about 0.5 kg and 0.3 kg, respectively. This translates to 0.8 kg of total raw material daily and about 4 kilograms weekly. Contamination was assessed using the Pour Plate method, with decontamination conducted using 5% sodium hypochlorite at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5%. The results demonstrated that 5% sodium hypochlorite is highly effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, at all tested concentrations, providing confidence in the safety of the collection system. A template for the collection was proposed.