Recycling Medical Intravenous Infusion Bags into Sharps Containers: Process Design and System Implementation

In 2024, Taiwan generated approximately 130,000 metric tons (MT) of medical waste, including about 42,000 MT of hazardous waste. Despite the implementation of circular economy initiatives, most of the medical waste is still incinerated and landfilled, thereby increasing the environmental burden through dioxin emissions and secondary pollution. Current recycling practices are aimed at converting medical plastics into secondary products but face logistical and operational challenges. This study developed a circular recycling system for medical intravenous (IV) infusion bags in Taiwan. In collaboration with two medical institutions, used IV bags were collected, sorted, cleaned, and reprocessed into recycled plastic pellets via a patented recycling-and-pelletization process. The pellets were incorporated into sharps containers, which were returned to participating hospitals, thus establishing a circular material pathway within the healthcare sector. The entire process was independently verified for traceability and regulatory compliance. The containers were assessed for recycled content, safety performance, and cradle-to-gate carbon footprint. The containers complied with ISO 14021 and ISO 23907-1 and were adopted by two hospitals in northern Taiwan. The carbon footprint was estimated as 1.852 kg CO 2 -eq per container, comprising 1.587 kg CO 2 -eq from raw-material acquisition and 0.265 kg CO 2 -eq from manufacturing. The economic dimension was discussed qualitatively through major cost components and potential avoided-cost mechanisms. The interpretation was limited by the unavailability of process data, financial and subsidy information, a quantitative base-case model, and a functionally equivalent virgin-plastic benchmark. The findings demonstrate practical implementation and provide a case-specific carbon-footprint baseline without establishing quantified environmental superiority or economic viability.