BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a global leader in medical technology, and Envetec Sustainable Technologies have announced the successful conclusion of a feasibility study aimed at recycling laboratory plastics used in healthcare. The study, conducted on January 29, 2026, focused on converting polystyrene Petri dishes into high-quality manufacturing feedstock, marking a significant step towards sustainability in healthcare supply chains.
The pilot study revealed that various polymers, including polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, and others, can be effectively reused after undergoing a safe disinfection and processing method. This advancement holds promise for the extensive use of these materials in medical devices, such as those produced by BD.
Envetec‘s innovative GENERATIONS® technology plays a pivotal role in this process. It transforms regulated waste into recyclable polymer flakes using a validated, low-energy chemical disinfection method. During the pilot, unused BD BBL™ prepared plated media were processed as post-industrial material. The Petri dishes were shredded, separated, disinfected, and converted into clean polymer flakes. These flakes were then extruded into polystyrene pellets and molded into new Petri dish prototypes, with material property testing and molding feasibility demonstrating success.
“This pilot marks the first step in a broader effort to demonstrate the feasibility of recovering and recycling multiple types of plastic products across healthcare supply chains,” stated Malcolm Bell, CEO of Envetec Sustainable Technologies. He emphasized that this proof of concept could lead to sustainable solutions that help avoid landfill waste and keep valuable materials in circulation.
The collaboration between BD and Envetec highlights the potential to reduce reliance on virgin plastics while keeping high-value polymers in use. Nikos Pavlidis, worldwide president of Diagnostic Solutions at BD, acknowledged the importance of single-use devices made from high-quality plastics in modern healthcare. He remarked, “This pilot, conducted by BD’s Sustainable Medical Technologies Institute, represents an important step toward enabling circular economy solutions for other high-volume healthcare consumables made from commonly used plastics, such as blood collection tubes, syringes, and packaging.”
Envetec’s GENERATIONS technology is already in use across various sectors, including biopharma, life sciences, hospitals, and food and beverage industries in the United States and Europe. The technology addresses the pressing need for sustainable practices by processing regulated medical and biohazardous waste and converting it into clean polymer flakes suitable for recycling.
In partnership with customers and recycling partners, Envetec aims to develop sustainable circular pathways for treated laboratory plastics. This involves transforming clean flakes into recycled pellets and, wherever feasible, into new plastic products.
BD is recognized as one of the largest global medical technology companies, focused on enhancing medical discovery, diagnostics, and patient care delivery. With over 70,000 employees worldwide, BD is committed to improving safety and efficiency in healthcare. The company collaborates with organizations globally to tackle complex health challenges and enhance clinical outcomes.
For more information about BD, visit their website at bd.com or connect on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram.
Envetec Sustainable Technologies, based in Ireland, is at the forefront of safe, non-thermal treatment of regulated medical and laboratory plastics. Its patented GENERATIONS process enables facilities to disinfect and shred biohazardous plastic waste at the point of generation, producing clean polymer flakes suitable for recycling. By replacing traditional waste disposal methods with circular recovery options, Envetec helps healthcare organizations achieve sustainability goals and reduce carbon emissions.
This joint initiative between BD and Envetec represents a significant advancement in the movement toward sustainable practices within the healthcare industry, offering a promising avenue for reducing plastic waste and fostering a circular economy.
