Collaborating on circular care (CirCoLa): efficient use and upgrading of sterilisation bags in oral care

Healthcare contributes to our health, but also causes environmental damage. In light of the current climate crisis, making healthcare more sustainable is essential. In oral healthcare, laminate bags are used daily to keep instruments safe and sterile. These bags are made of sturdy plastic and paper and are discarded and incinerated after a single use. This is unnecessary, as the material is high quality and can be reused.

The CirCoLa project investigates how we can use these bags efficiently and how we can reuse them. The CirCoLa project is investigating how we can use these bags efficiently and how we can reuse them. The aim is to waste fewer bags and to process used bags into new products, such as building materials. To this end, a partnership has been set up between Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, ACTA, GreenCycl, Circlefied and TopMondzorg. The KNMT (professional association for dentists) is supporting the project with advice and dissemination of the results.

The project consists of three parts: (1) the technical development of a processing method for laminate bags, (2) research in dental practices into how laminate bags are used and collected, and (3) working with healthcare providers to investigate practical solutions to prevent waste and enable reuse.

This approach enables the project to contribute to more sustainable oral care. The results may also be beneficial to other healthcare sectors where similar materials are used. In this way, we are working together towards a circular future.

Awarded by Innovation Booster 2025 – TKI-LSH / Health~Holland (ORANGEHealth-PPS-program)