Baseline Information:
With the push for garbage classification, medical institutions have become a significant source of household waste. The need for classified collection and comprehensive supervision of recyclable waste has grown. In 2020, the National Health Commission, along with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and other relevant departments, developed the "Comprehensive Management Plan for Medical Institution Waste." This plan emphasized solving the issue of recycling and utilizing infusion bottles and bags, focusing on "closed-loop management, designated locations, and full traceability." It required local policies to ensure that each jurisdiction had at least one recycling and utilization enterprise or integrated recycling enterprise, achieving full coverage of medical institution infusion bottle (bag) recycling and utilization.

To support the closed-loop management of recyclable materials in medical institutions, particularly to aid the Ministry of Commerce in establishing a list of enterprises for infusion bottle/bag recycling and utilization, the China National Resource Recycling Association began a pilot project in April 2018. This project aimed to support the identification and selection of 36 enterprises for the pilot of recycling plastic waste from medical institutions. The association also issued standards for glass infusion bottle recycling and plastic infusion bottle (bag) recycling for hospitals and recycling companies to use. An electronic tracing system and terminal machine were developed in 2018 to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of collecting and managing infusion bottles/bags in more than 40 cities nationwide.

Main Problems:

1. Lack of awareness among medical institutions about the value of recycling uncontaminated infusion bottles (bags), leading to improper disposal and resource wastage.
2. Some medical institutions sell categorized infusion bottles (bags) to unauthorized enterprises, resulting in uncertain recycling routes and posing environmental and social risks.
3. Small-scale and scattered medical institutions in remote areas produce inconsistent amounts of infusion bottles (bags), raising transportation costs for remote recycling and lowering participation.
4. Many medical institutions still rely on manual paper-based records for waste management, causing inefficiencies, loss of records, and delayed responses in oversight.

Activities:

Activity 1: Conduct baseline surveys in demonstration cities, compile a guidebook for infusion bottle (bag) classification and recycling. Analyze existing practices, identify weaknesses and risks, and propose detailed solutions based on the principles of behavior change. Develop a user-friendly guidebook for hospitals to adopt.
Activity 2: Upgrade the infusion bottle (bag) electronic tracing system. Enhance the user interface, add features for efficient on-site pickups, and provide different user access levels for hospitals, recycling companies, and regulatory authorities.
Activity 3: Establish demonstration sites for infusion bottle (bag) recycling using the guidebook and electronic tracing system. Develop a replicable electronic traceability management model.
Activity 4: Conduct training for hospital staff responsible for infusion bottle (bag) collection. Improve their knowledge and awareness of recycling value, promote correct disposal practices, and enhance their operational efficiency.
Activity 5: Organize forums for industry stakeholders to share experiences and insights on infusion bottle (bag) recycling, promote industry consensus on closed-loop management, designated locations, and full traceability.

Anticipated Outcomes:

1. Deeper awareness among local governments, medical institutions, and stakeholders in demonstration cities about the challenges of infusion bottle (bag) recycling management, leading to improved decision-making capabilities.
2. Enhanced skills and efficiency of medical institution staff in demonstration cities engaged in infusion bottle (bag) collection and management.
3. Upgraded infusion bottle (bag) electronic tracing system with improved user interface, increased utilization, and traceability, advancing closed-loop management and recycling rates.
4. Increased infusion bottle (bag) recycling in demonstration hospitals and greater usage of the electronic recycling system in the host counties, resulting in improved recycling standards.
5. Improved knowledge and awareness among medical institution staff in demonstration cities about infusion bottle (bag) classification and collection.
6. Wide dissemination of project experiences across the industry and increased recognition and understanding of the infusion bottle (bag) electronic tracing system in more cities nationwide.