WASTE MANAGEMENT
The hopper within the Sterimelt machine into which the wraps are fed for processing.
This can then be reused as granulated media for injection moulding or extrusion into pellets to go into processes for creating 3D filaments, which can then potentially go on to become various items both within and outside healthcare, including exoskeletal plaster casts, 3D prosthetic limbs, cutlery, and furniture. The melting procedure is a very clean process, that uses controlled heat settings up to maximums of 320˚C, coupled with Teflon-coated heater plates, thus ‘reverse engineering’ the sheets. This entails melting the polypropylene (C3H6)n, which has a melting point of 130-171˚C, to flow as a molten plastic; thereafter gravity does its job, letting the molten solution drip down into the collection tray. The process simultaneously also gets rid of contaminant molecules. The whole process is controlled by a programmable logic controller with a series of inputs and outputs that allow the PLC to ensure that the plates stay at the optimum temperature during the process, while maintaining a safe working environment for the user/operator.
Other processes
There are other processes that take place in the machine for elements such as
precise temperature control regulation at the various stages, odour-removing filtration systems, and resin control, which all contribute to the efficiency and purity of the end-product while maintaining safe operating conditions. The resin extracted is ‘identification code 5’, and is also recyclable. The only real issue we have found with the machine is that if the wraps are not 100% pure polypropylene – as in the case of those from one supplier, which incorporates a viscous layer on the wrap – then the melting process is disrupted, and the block does not form properly. However, with 100% pure polypropylene this is not the case, and perfect results are replicated every time. The unit was installed on the site at Queen’s Hospital, Burton site on 22 March this year – in fact NHS Sustainability Day, making UHDB the second UK Trust to join forces with TCG and becoming its ‘beta partner’ in England, the first being the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in Wales at its Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny. Day-to-day operation of the machine is successfully being managed by our Waste and Sustainability officer – Natalie Roddis, who, since the unit went ‘live’ approximately four months ago, has been able to divert over 5 tonnes of single use plastics from general waste streams.
Just the start
We at UHDB are committed to delivering sustainable solutions wherever possible, and to reducing the amount of non- recyclable plastics we produce, and the adoption of the Sterimelt technology is only the start. We are currently, for instance, looking into both cardboard and plastic baling. It has been a great journey so far working with TCG providing R&D for its machine, and supplying new ideas and data to allow it to develop other uses for the products and identify other polypropylene items to recycle – such as curtains, single-use scrubs, and other polypropylene items. Our constant feedback channels, meanwhile, allow the existing processes to be constantly improved and updated.
James Chadwick
James A Chadwick BSc (Hons), IEng, MIET, MIHEEM, CBIFM, head of Facilities & Capital Developments – Burton Campuses, at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, started out as an apprentice electrician in the private sector, working his way to senior project manager for a local electrical contracting company, covering multiple industries, including breweries, schools, councils, and healthcare.
He subsequently set up on his own as managing director of a successful consultancy and contracting company, which he later sold the client base to on deciding to join the NHS ‘for some security and stability while starting a family’. Over the past nine years he has obtained a First Class honours degree in electrical and electronic technology, and registered with the Engineering Council as an Incorporated Engineer. He is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), a certified member of the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), and an active Member of IHEEM, being a committee member on the Institute’s East Midlands branch.
hej
The used surgical wraps are melted down using a process that converts them into a solid polypropylene material.
The UHDB Burton campuses alone use in excess of 59,000 polypropylene wraps, equating to about 16 tonnes of material.
During his NHS career he has held roles including Electrical Engineer and HV/LV AP, and various positions in both Estates and Facilities, but for the past four years has headed capital developments for the Burton Campuses at UHDB. He said: “This has been a very interesting period, exposing me to all the environments a healthcare estates role has to offer, from working in HDU/ITU, theatres, and wards, to Pathology, Pharmacy, Residents, and Offices. For the past two years I have added head of Facilities to my portfolio. I am finding the challenge exciting, and am constantly expanding my knowledge of all the patient-facing services that Estates & Facilities offers.”
October 2018 Health Estate Journal 61
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116