TerraCycle^® launches ClinicCycle in the UK to help the medical industry tackle hard-to-recycle waste

TerraCycle^®, a recycling solutions provider, has launched ClinicCycle, a new initiative aimed at helping businesses in the medical industry—ranging from dental practices to hospitals—reduce their non-hazardous waste and become more sustainable. By providing an easy-to-implement solution for recycling hard-to-recycle items such as disposable PPE, oral care waste, plastic packaging, and more, ClinicCycle will help divert large volumes of waste from landfills and incineration.

Each year, the medical industry generates a massive amount of hard-to-recycle waste, much of which ends up in landfills or is incinerated. In the UK, the NHS alone produces an estimated 156,000 tonnes of clinical waste annually, equivalent to over 400 fully-loaded jumbo jets. Recognising the urgent need to tackle this environmental issue, TerraCycle created ClinicCycle as a convenient solution to reduce waste and promote sustainability in the medical sector.

ClinicCycle provides a range of Zero Waste Boxes™ designed for different waste streams. These include boxes for disposable PPE, plastic packaging, oral care waste, centrifuge tubes, and rigid lab plastics. Available in small, medium, and large sizes, the boxes can be used in medical settings of all types—from dental offices to GPs, pharmacies, and hospitals.

Julien Tremblin, General Manager of TerraCycle Europe, shared his excitement about the new initiative: “The scale of waste produced by the medical industry is staggering, and it’s critical that we find solutions to address it. With ClinicCycle, we wanted to create an offering that works for every business in the medical industry, from dental practices to hospitals and laboratories. We hope to provide a simple, effective way for businesses to manage their waste and make a real difference in the sustainability of their operations.”

One business already benefiting from ClinicCycle is Drake Dental Practice in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Dentist Michelle Drew commented on the success of the program: “At our practice, we have implemented the Oral Care Waste and Packaging Zero Waste Box in our reception area. It has been a hit with both staff and patients, allowing us to keep our waste out of landfills and ensuring that it is recycled responsibly. This initiative aligns perfectly with our values and we are excited to contribute to positive change within the dental industry.”

The ClinicCycle process is straightforward: medical practices can order the Zero Waste Boxes online and have them shipped directly to their location. Once filled, the boxes are returned to TerraCycle using pre-affixed UPS shipping labels. TerraCycle then sorts, cleans, and processes the waste into raw materials, which are used to create new products such as flooring tiles, shipping pallets, and outdoor furniture.