Circularity of Polymers Used in Hospitals: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Solutions

Polymers are applied extensively in the healthcare sector and enable a variety of different applications. In addition to packaging and personal protective equipment, a large number of medical devices are also coated with or consist of polymers. Today's medicine is therefore inconceivable without these materials. However, the huge challenge is to design these polymers more sustainable and to find new possibilities for the future of medicine with polymers. This study therefore highlights potential ways, in how polymers applied in the healthcare sector and in particular in hospitals can be utilized in a circular manner, but also indicates what risks and challenges this entails. Polymers are indispensable for modern healthcare and hospitals. However, their utilization led to enormous drawbacks such as waste. This study discusses current strategies and future possibilities for the sustainable usage of polymers in hospitals in order to obtain a circular utilization of plastics in healthcare applications. image