Healthcare Recycling
Caracal Products & Services empowers healthcare systems to achieve their sustainability goals while driving measurable operational value. By capturing and recycling commonly discarded materials like polypropylene and polyethylene, we help reduce waste volumes, lower disposal costs and support compliance with evolving environmental regulations. Our program enables hospitals and surgical centers to participate in a circular economy—diverting waste from landfills and transforming it into new, healthcare-grade products. This not only improves environmental impact metrics but also reinforces a system-wide commitment to responsible, forward-thinking care.
Clean Procedures. Clean Planet.
Closing the Loop on Care
Caracal Recycling Strategies
Redefining Waste, Shaping Tomorrow
Healthcare centers that prioritize sustainability display a deep commitment to their community’s well-being. Adopting eco-friendly practices not only strengthens trust but also enhances their reputation, fostering greater patient loyalty and community support.
“At this stage of the game, there is just no excuse to be sending this waste to the landfill anymore. There’s another avenue — we should at least be trying to support these types of programs and help to build them up.”
— Sara Wohlford, Director of Sustainability, Carilion Clinic
From Bale to Benefit: Closing the Loop in Healthcare Recycling
We keep it as simple as possible for everyone involved. Using our two-color bag system, OR staff determines which materials belong in each bag based on type. After collecting recyclable items, Caracal retrieves the bags and transports them to a recycling warehouse. There, the materials are unloaded, inspected and prepared for baling.
Once the bales reach 1,000 pounds, they are stored in rows for future shipment. The bales are accumulated until we have a full truckload then shipped to our nearest extrusion facility for the pelletizing process. Once the material is pelletized it can be used in place of virgin resin to make consumer and healthcare products. This innovative approach supports circular recycling, transforming what was once considered waste into new healthcare products and keeping it out of landfills.
Why?
Hospitals generate over 28 million pounds (about 12700576 kg) of landfill waste per day in the U.S. alone. Sustainable waste management practices, like our OR Recycling Program, our Re-use of Materials Program and our Circular Strategies reduce environmental impact and conserve resources.
“When we met with Caracal and heard about what they offered, it just seemed like it answered a lot of problems all at once. It gave us an opportunity to recycle blue wrap, which had never been feasible for us before, and then also fold in the soft and hard plastics.”
— Sara Wohlford, Director of Sustainability, Carilion Clinic
By implementing Caracal Recycling Strategies, you can:
- Minimize landfill waste (up to 40%)
- Improve your ESG and sustainability goals
- Enhance community relations
- Reduce spend on roll off boxes and compactor rentals
- Save on hauling and tipping fees