The cool wool solution to a plastic problem

Could wool replace plastic in a medical environment?

It might sound unlikely, but that is one innovative solution being used by Australia's largest private healthcare provider in a bid to reduce its waste footprint.

Thanks to a suggestion from the Day Oncology team at Melbourne's Warringal Private Hospital, Ramsay Health Care has partnered with medical supplier Baxter Healthcare to replace bubble wrap, ice packs and plastics in the packaging of its chemotherapy drugs.

They are being substituted with sustainable, recyclable thermal insulation products made with award-winning Woolcool technology.

"Changing medication packing systems is not an easy or straightforward task because we need to make sure the chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs stay safe during transport, particularly on very hot days," said Ramsay Pharmacy's General Manager of Operations, Michelle Lynch.

"The Woolcool solution is brilliant and we are already seeing a massive reduction in the plastic used across Ramsay.Woolcool thermally outperforms polystyrene and is far more environmentally responsible."

The insulation, made from 100 percent sheep's wool, is manufactured in Australia and New Zealand. It keeps contents cool and safe, packaged at between two to eight degrees Celsius for up to 72 hours.

"I want to thank Sue and Jayne from the Warringal Day Oncology team for first raising the issue of excessive packaging and helping to inspire such an important and positive change," Ms Lynch added.

Baxter has also led a major recycling scheme for its medical plastics, as it aims to create a more sustainable healthcare system based on collaboration between hospitals and suppliers.

"With the largest national network of compounding facilities in Australia, it's important we work with Ramsay Health Care to reduce, reuse and recycle hospital waste," said Baxter's General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Steven Flynn.

"This new innovative solution to reduce packaging waste builds on our existing partnerships with Ramsay to recycle hospital PVC waste and aluminium bottles of gas anaesthesia."

The hospital group's 'Ramsay Cares' initiative has helped to keep 16 million single-use plastic items out of landfill in the past year by replacing them with sustainable alternatives.

Nearly 95 percent of its 72 nationwide facilities has committed to phasing out plastic water bottles, while in June 2021 Nowra Private Hospital became the first to switch to sun-powered energy as part of a multi-year solar panel installation program being adopted across the network.

"Healthcare is about focusing on safety and wellbeing and that must extend to our people, planet and communities for generations to come," Ramsay Australia CEO Carmel Monaghan said.

Read more: Ramsay's global green mission – HESTA awards finalist

Read more: Baxter turns hospital waste into gumboots

Read more: Warringal teams defuse 'ticking time bomb'

Photo gallery

Ramsay Health Care has teamed up with Baxter Healthcare to introduce wool-based packaging

Next Safety And Quality:
14/7/2021 A fishy tale - new research at Epworth

Previous Safety And Quality:
1/6/2021 $750,000 donation helps in race to save boys' sight