New line helps hospitals reduce environmental impact
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Ecolab introduces Genesys™, a new line of plastic drapes and waste bags
featuring technology that speeds breakdown of the material into primary
organic matter when disposed of in biologically active landfills. The
products do not need to be separated from other waste material.
"Hospitals are making meaningful commitments to protect the health of
their communities by becoming better stewards of the environment," said
Andrew Gaillard, vice president of Marketing, Ecolab Global Healthcare.
"The Genesys line of surgical drapes and waste bags are designed to help
hospitals protect patients and staff from infections acquired in the
operating room, and achieve environmental goals without changing current
clinical practices."
It is an accepted fact that petrochemical-derived plastics, such as
polyethylene, which are used in most surgical equipment drapes and waste
bags today, do not biodegrade. Genesys products use a proprietary
organic additive that enhances the plastic's ability to absorb moisture,
attract microbes and facilitate conversion into primary organic matter
and gas. The plastics break down up to 35 percent in just 21 months when
tested according to the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D5511 test.
A recent report
by the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation working toward a high
performing health care system, found that health facilities create 6,600
tons of waste each day, much of which is transported to landfills.
Operating rooms account for about 33 percent of all hospital supply,
energy and waste costs.
The results of an Ecolab blind survey of nearly 200 hospital purchasing
officers, clinicians and sustainability decision makers found that 50
percent of the respondents reported concern about the current amount of
waste produced in the operating room. In addition, 70 percent said that
sustainability concerns are influencing changes in hospital policies and
processes. Seventy-nine percent view the use of products that break down
faster in landfills as sound policy that aligns with their facilities'
values.
Ecolab offers a complete line of equipment drapes and waste bags that
help hospitals maintain a sterile field within the operating room. For
more information on the Genesys line, visit www.ecolab.com/genesys
or call (800) 824-3027.
About Ecolab
A trusted partner at more than one million
customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene
and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital
resources. With 2012 sales of $12 billion and 44,000 associates, Ecolab
delivers comprehensive solutions and on-site service to promote safe
food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use and
improve operational efficiencies for customers in the food, healthcare,
energy, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries
around the world.
For more news and information, visit www.ecolab.com.
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California law prohibits the sale of plastic packaging and plastic
products that are labeled with the terms "biodegradable" or any form of
those terms, or that imply in any way that the item will break down,
biodegrade or decompose in a landfill or other environment. These
restrictions apply to all sales in or into the state of California,
including such sales over the internet.
(ECL-P)
Ecolab Inc.
Roman Blahoski, 651-293-4385
MediaRelations@Ecolab.com
Source: Ecolab Inc.
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