PVCMed Partner Westlake Global Compounds Launches Medical PVC Recycling Scheme in the US

Westlake Global Compounds, a key partner of the PVCMed Alliance, has launched the innovative Choose Pink pilot programme in collaboration with Houston Methodist hospital, marking a significant step forward in sustainable healthcare practices. This first-of-its-kind initiative in Houston, Texas, United States, establishes a dedicated collection system for the recycling of post-patient PVC medical devices, such as nasal cannulas, oxygen masks, and saline bags, directly from the hospital's flagship outpatient centre.

This programme not only reduces the volume of waste sent to landfill but also transforms these single-use PVC healthcare products into durable, high-quality products, some of which will be used in healthcare settings. Once collected, the PVC materials are transported to Westlake Dimex's recycling facility, where they will be reprocessed into items such as commercial matting for hospital entry-ways, dock edging, and protective equipment mats.

Building on the success of similar initiatives worldwide, Choose Pink continues the momentum established by the VinylPlus Med programme, which operates in around 30 Belgian hospitals. In Belgium, PVC medical devices are safely recycled and converted into long-lasting wall coverings, providing both environmental and climate benefits. An independent third-party Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has confirmed the positive impact of these recycling efforts, showing significant reductions in carbon emissions. VinylPlus Med is currently working on expansion to France together with consultancy Terra and medical device manufacturer Medtronic.

Advances in medical PVC circularity is not only limited to medical devices. The VinylPlus PharmPack project is currently working on enhancing the recyclability of PVC-based pharmaceutical blister packaging, which is the standard solution in Europe.

Together, these concrete projects demonstrate medical PVC's unique possibility for mechanical recycling, saving energy, CO2, and valuable raw materials.