Microwaves ecofriendly alternative for a safe treatment of medical waste
Institutul National de Cercetare – Dezvoltare pentru Metale Neferoase si Rare / INCDMNR – IMNR (Romania)
www.imnr.ro
Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Microbiologie-Imunologie / INCDMIC (Romania)
www.cantacuzino.ro
AMK Drives and controls Ltd. / AMK (Bulgaria)
http://life.imnr.ro/medwaste.html
Contact:
Address: INCDMNR-INMR, b-dul Biruintei 102, Pantelimon, ILFOV
References: more information you can find here.
WHERE: Romania and Bulgaria
WHEN: 01-SEP-2011 to 31-OCT -2013, closed project WASTE MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY: Recycling: Reuse – Reprocessing
TYPE OF INSTRUMENT: Education, information, awareness raising; Voluntary/promotional, Infrastructure
WASTE STREAMS: Healthcare waste
About: The project main objectives were:
- Demonstrating an innovative technology that could be considered as a Best Available Technique (BAT) for updating the BAT Reference
- Generating documents (BREF) in the medical waste treatment sector – i.e. the treatment of medical waste using microwave technology, an environmentally friendly alternative to the classical methods (incineration, autoclavi ng, etc);
- Drawing up technical documentation, based on the demonstration of the innovative technology and equipment developed during the project implementation
- Management and treatment of medical waste.
Expected results: The project proved the feasibility of microwave technology in the treatment of medical waste, and its status as a BAT, leading to the updating of the relevant BAT Reference Documents (BREF).
It also consolidated the knowledge base for the implementation in Romania and Bulgaria of EU policy and legislation on medical waste, in particular the Waste Framework Directive and the Hazardous Waste Directive (legislation on PCBs and POPs).

Photo Source: IMNR
Objectives
This practice aim on encouraging the development of innovative actions in the field of waste management, to reward actions that have a high potential for improving environmental conditions and to make these usable actions known among private companies, authorities and the general public.
Resources
1. Knowhow: the groups applying for the prize are experts in the fields of Eco efficiency, energy efficiency and climate friendly technologies.
2. Funding; budget: for 5 projects the total sum of money awarded is 11 000 €, further budget necessary for staff.
3. Material resources: venue for award ceremony
4.Human resources: jury for selection, staff dedicated to organizational issues, PR, award ceremony
5. Period of implementation: since 1999
Results
Since 1999 until now, there have been encouraged and supported many initiatives with a positive effect on the environment and the health of the population.
Urban metabolism relevance
The results of the practice make reference to outcomes going beyond waste prevention and management, such as: improving air quality within the city (by reducing the organic waste disposal in landfills, encouraging product sharing solutions etc.), and reducing the use of natural resources (by encouraging bulk acquisitions, repair initiatives etc.).
All implemented actions have an integrative approach being oriented towards all the basic characteristics of the urban metabolism.
The practice is contributing to circular economy approaches by enhancing the circularity of materials (via upcycling, remanufacture, resale, repair actions), by aiming to „close the loop” and/or by showing the valorization approaches for waste valorization.
Photo Source: IMNR
Innovation
The practice follows an innovative approach in terms of awarding criteria that is more flexible and can be adjusted easily to „special local conditions”. Innovative criteria is always selected to further stimulate eco-efficient and energy efficient, socially attractive projects and business cases.
Engaged participatory processes
The award was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism (BMNT) and the NGO Austrian Water and Waste Management Association (ÖWAV).
Considering all the beneficiaries of this practice (innovative businesses in industry, trade and waste management, startups, associations, corporations, municipalities, campaign and event organizers, university institutes, students, school projects and private citizens), the practice has a high participatory rate.
Sustainability and replicability
The awards that come as a result of the implementation of this practice, confirm the project’s/company’s success in the area of innovations for sustainable production and consumption and can be used for PR. They enhance visibility of the project/company and might trigger further activities in this area.
The idea is simple, might be compared to other similar initiatives already existing on regional or national level and be implemented in the target area with comparatively little effort.
Success Factors
The Practice has an increasing value, along with the number of projects it supports and encourages. The success factors might be considered the quality and efficiency of the environmental projects that run for awards annually.

UrbanWINS
Waste, Resources, Innovation.
Key Challenges
While the key aspects of environmental sustainability dominate, some awarded projects also have a significant social sustainability aspect.

Info
For more information, please check the deliverable, or contact the implementing body.
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