Boston Scientific pilots recycling solutions for single-use products in Germany
Recycling single-use medical devices poses a significant challenge for the medical device industry, but one that through collaboration with customers and partners, is a challenge that we can progress.
To find better solutions, companies need to first understand the carbon footprint of recycling these products, compared to traditional incineration. For this reason, Boston Scientific launched a pilot project in 15 hospitals in Germany, where single use imaging devices are collected, undergo high-level decontamination, and subsequently recycled, according to applicable regulations.
Given the complex materials used in manufacturing, the challenges and resources needed to disinfect the products, and the logistical changes required to collect used materials from hospitals, recycling medical waste from single-use devices presents a dilemma for the industry. Leading authorities like the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommend considering single-use products for patients with higher infection risks.
The pilot, which concluded in 2024, offers valuable insights about the cost-effectiveness and customer and environmental benefits of medical device recycling. Results will be submitted for publication in late 2025.
Boston Scientific is committed to driving a more sustainable future for the industry. The company's net-zero targets were approved in 2022 by the Science Based Targets initiative. This initiative supports the company's mission to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.
"We align with our customers' needs, and when it comes to sustainability, many customers want to know how they can reduce waste in their hospitals. Due to regulatory requirements for disposing of medical waste, this is not simple," said Clare Brooke, commercial lead for Environmental, Social, and Governance for Boston Scientific in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). "We are committed to finding new ways to help our customers reduce waste and promote recycling, and this pilot project is an important step in that direction."
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Originally published in October 2023, updated in May 2025.