Microwaves ecofriendly alternative for a safe treatment of medical waste

Institutul National de Cercetare – Dezvoltare pentru Metale Neferoase si Rare / INCDMNR – IMNR (Romania)

Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Microbiologie-Imunologie / INCDMIC (Romania)

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

The information presented above was taken from public sources, and assessed by UrbanWINS experts according to the project requirements, field research, deductions and analytical process. Key assumptions and projections may deviate from the opinions presented by author, this may typically be the result of differing time horizons, methodologies, contexts or other factors.

We do not assume any rights or guarantees, the sources of all data can be found in the „References” section, in the document. At the time of publishing, we did not received a point of view from the owners/beneficiaries of the practice (although have been requested an official position to the authors, via e-mail), and it can be withdrawn simply by email notification.

Any investor must particularly ensure the suitability of an investment as regards his/her financial and fiscal situation and investment objectives.

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

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