Healthcare Plastic Packaging Sorting Study – Phase 2 Results

The Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) – Europe has published its latest case study entitled “Unlocking recycling potential: trials for automated sorting of medical plastic waste”.

Building on the findings from the first pilot project in the Netherlands, which demonstrated the technical feasibility of manual sorting, this second phase tested automated sorting technologies under real conditions in Germany. In collaboration with the University Hospital of Bonn (UKB) and TOMRA, the trial investigated whether industrial-scale systems can reliably sort plastic packaging waste from the healthcare sector with the accuracy and throughput required for sustainable recycling.

Key findings:

• The quality of the waste stream is crucial: clean, well-separated packaging can be sorted efficiently, but contamination risks remain a major challenge.
• Efficiency of automated sorting: 45% of hard plastics were recovered in PP, PE and PET streams; Flexible packaging was sorted into PE, although multi-component films pose contamination risks.
• Improved separation strategies: Point-of-use sorting and AI-based object recognition could improve outcomes, supported by trained staff and appropriate hospital systems.
• Design for recyclability: Following the HPRC’s design guidelines improves sorting efficiency and value of waste, creating potential revenue streams for hospitals.

Why it matters:
Healthcare plastics offer significant recycling opportunities, but scaling solutions requires collaboration across the entire value chain. This study provides evidence-based best practices for collection, logistics and processing, bridging the gap between theoretical feasibility and practical implementation.

Project partners:
HPRC coordinated the initiative with support from CIRCULARMED, UKB, TOMRA and HPRC members DuPont, LyondellBasell, Baxter and Nelipak.

About the study: www.hprc.org

HPRC is active throughout the United States and Europe, engaging with key stakeholders, identifying collaboration opportunities, and participating in industry events and forums. For more information, visit www.hprc.org