How Tyvek® Supports Sustainability in Healthcare Packaging

Article | May 8, 2018
Article
Sustainability in Healthcare Packaging | DuPont™ Tyvek® | DuPont USA
 
 
 
 
 
 

DuPont™ Tyvek® supports sustainability in healthcare across the full package lifecycle. We collaborate with converters, packaging designers, and medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, to help them meet sustainability goals.

As an organization, DuPont is committed to resource conservation, integrated conservation, and waste management. Here are some of the specifics about how Tyvek® aligns with these commitments:

Reducing Materials Use
Tyvek® provides strength and durability in relatively light weights for medical device packaging. This supports sustainability in healthcare packaging, by allowing heavy, delicate or uniquely shaped parts to be protected, using less material.

Reducing Waste
In addition to strength and tear resistance, Tyvek® also helps prevent microbial infiltration, and is compatible with a wide range of sterilization techniques. This helps prevent wasteful damage or contamination to medical devices or drugs during both transport and storage.

Reducing Fuel Use
Tyvek® also can support lighter, stronger packaging designs that weigh less or take up less space, helping to lessen the environmental impact of transporting products from manufacturer, to distributor, to hospital to patient.

Supporting Recycling
Tyvek® is produced under verified environmental policy under ISO 14001, and can be recycled at facilities that accept high-density polyethylene (HDPE) not in contact with hazardous substances. It has been recycled for over 20 years, and often gains a second life in products such as plastic decking and lawn furniture.

Supporting Incineration
Tyvek® can be safely incinerated and, under optimal conditions, can lead to only the release of water and carbon dioxide, leaving no residue. In fact, it can even be used as fuel, yielding more than twice the energy value of coal, and as much energy as oil, in terms of BTU rating.

Supporting Safe Disposal
Because Tyvek® is a high-value recyclable material, DuPont encourages recycling. However, if landfilling is necessary, Tyvek® is an inert material, and will not leach harmful compounds into groundwater.

Collaborating on Sustainability
Scalable sustainability in healthcare packaging is a core goal for DuPont. We work closely with our customers to create integrated solutions that support both business and sustainability goals. In addition we are also a founding member of the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC)