ENKORE visits MYGroup to explore circular approaches to healthcare waste management
ENKORE visited MYGroup’s facility in Hull, UK, to gain first-hand insight into its waste management operations and explore opportunities for material recovery in healthcare. Hosted by Steven Carrie and the MYGroup team, the visit brought together practical observations and discussions on the challenges of implementing circular approaches across the healthcare value chain.
The visit covered MYGroup’s activities across collection, logistics, treatment, recycling and material recovery. It provided an opportunity to examine how these stages are connected and what this means for the design and end-of-life management of healthcare products and packaging.
Exploring treatment and material recovery processes
During the visit, MYGroup presented its RecyClin™ system and its approach to processing healthcare waste. The system combines dedicated collection arrangements with autoclave treatment and material separation, enabling accepted healthcare and clinical waste streams to be processed for material recovery and remanufacturing.
The team also learned about applications for recovered materials, including MYboard™, a board material manufactured from recovered plastic waste and used in furniture, construction, joinery and interior fittings. These examples provided a practical basis for discussing how materials from used healthcare products can enter new applications.
MYGroup shared its experience with take-back schemes across pharmaceutical, cosmetics and consumer product packaging, offering perspectives relevant to the development of collection and recovery systems in healthcare.
Key observations from the visit
A central message from the discussions was the importance of involving recyclers earlier in product and packaging development. Decisions about materials and product design influence the options available for treatment, separation and recovery after use.
The visit highlighted the value of bringing this operational knowledge into the design process. For ENKORE, closer engagement with recyclers can help identify recovery constraints and inform the development of products and packaging with end-of-life requirements in mind.
Discussions also addressed the conditions needed to implement and scale recovery solutions. MYGroup shared its experience around aligning with permitting requirements and evaluating new recycling and treatment technologies. Economic viability and regulatory approval emerged as essential considerations alongside technical feasibility.
Extended producer responsibility and producer funding mechanisms were also identified as important factors in supporting future collection and recycling systems.
Relevance for ENKORE
The visit provided practical insights into two areas of particular relevance to ENKORE: validating healthcare waste decontamination and material recovery pathways, and strengthening collaboration with recyclers during product and packaging design.
It also demonstrated the value of bringing decision science and life-cycle thinking into direct dialogue with waste management operators. This exchange can support a more informed assessment of potential solutions, taking account of technical performance, environmental impacts and the conditions required for implementation.
The visit provided a basis for continued dialogue and future collaboration between ENKORE and MYGroup.
ENKORE thanks Steven Carrie and the MYGroup team for hosting the visit and sharing their expertise.
Learn more about MYGroup’s healthcare waste management activities: https://mygroupltd.com/clinical-waste/
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