Healthcare Professionals
Product and Packaging Disposition
At Medtronic, product stewardship is a key element of our EHS program – the proper handling of products and their packaging disposition is a shared effort between our company and our customers. The separate collection and recycling of electronic, battery or packaging waste will support natural resource conservation and help to protect human health and the environment.
For geography specific information on batteries, packaging or electronic recycling, go to the Recycling tab.
The Contact tab contains business unit contact information for specific questions such as how to safely disassemble our products for recycling.
The Sharps tab has information specific to disposal of medical sharps.
Any other questions can be addressed to rs.epic2@medtronic.com.
Recycling
Use the links below to quickly navigate to information about recycling used equipment and waste in North America and in Europe.
Recycling in North America
Recycling Used Electronic Equipment in North America
*Please note that infected medical devices must be disposed of as medical/biohazard waste and cannot be included in used electronic equipment recycling programs. In addition, electronic products involving a complaint must be returned directly to Medtronic for analysis. Contact your medical clinic or Medtronic sales representative for return instructions.
Recycling in the United States
In the U.S., approximately 3 million tons of electronic waste is generated each year, which equates to 190 pounds per second.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that electronic waste contributes 70% of the heavy metals found in landfills today. If such wastes are not handled properly, toxic substances contained in electronics can leach into the air, soil, and water, which in turn can cause associated health effects such as increased risk of cancer and harm to the nervous system. Consequently, placing electronic waste in landfills is no longer an acceptable practice.
In the United States, there currently is no national collection program for used electronic equipment; however, numerous states, counties, and local governments have implemented requirements for the management of electronic wastes. Medtronic encourages its customers and other generators of used electronic equipment to review local programs for recycling opportunities and regulations.
Recycling in Canada
Environment Canada reports that more than 140,000 metric tons of used electronics are sent to Canadian landfills annually. In addition to causing adverse effects to human health and the environment, disposing of used electronics in landfills wastes valuable resources such as aluminum and copper.
Working together to develop resource recovery strategies, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Industry Canada encourage the safe management of obsolete electronic equipment. Medtronic customers should check with provincial authorities and local municipalities for recycling opportunities. For further information, please refer to Canada's provincial environmental website.
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
The European Union (EU) has implemented the Directive 2002/96/EC to ensure there are systems in place in the EU Member States for the collection, treatment and recycling of waste electronic products. Medtronic products that are marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin WEEE symbol should not be disposed as unsorted municipal waste. The marked equipment should be collected separately and returned to the designated recycling service (see European (Union) Country Recycling Services).
Please note that implanted as well as infected medical devices are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Batteries and Accumulators Waste
The European Union (EU) has implemented the Directive 2006/66/EC to ensure there are systems in place in the EU Member States for the collection, treatment and recycling of batteries and accumulators. Batteries and accumulators supplied by Medtronic for use with its products are marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin WEEE symbol and should not be disposed as unsorted municipal waste. Batteries and accumulators should be collected separately and returned to the designated recycling service (see European (Union) Country Recycling Services).
Please note that batteries/accumulators of active implanted medical devices (AIMDs) are considered to be not removable. Thus batteries/accumulators of AIMDs have to be disposed with the whole product as medical waste –see above.
Packaging Waste
The European Union (EU) has implemented the Directive 94/62/EC as amended by Directive 2004/12/EC to ensure there are systems in place in the EU Member States for the collection, treatment and recycling of packaging. Medtronic product packaging is designed to minimize the impact to the environment while maintaining product integrity during shipment and storage. Packaging waste should be collected separately for recycling. See European (Union) Country Recycling Services for available national packaging collection and recycling services.
European (Union) Country Recycling Centers
| Austria | France | Netherlands | Spain |
| Belgium | Germany | Norway | Sweden |
| Croatia | Greece | Poland | Switzerland |
| Denmark | Ireland | Portugal | Turkey |
| Finland | Italy | Slovenia | United Kingdom |
The information is subject to change. Any questions can be sent to rs.epic2@medtronic.com.
Austria
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic Austria GmbH declares that all goods were delivered exclusively in packaging (sales and transport packaging) that has been licensed to ARA Altstoff Recycling Austria under the ARA license number 5258. Customers of Medtronic Austria GmbH can dispose of their packaging waste of Medtronic products at local packaging collection points or in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities. For more information, visit: http://www.ara.at
WEEE Recycling
EEE for households (electrical or electronic devices delivered by Medtronic that are intended to be used by patients or laymen (i.e., not healthcare professionals)) are licensed to INTERSEROH Austria GmbH under the license number 144236. Customers of Medtronic Austria GmbH can dispose of this WEEE at local waste collection points. For more information, visit: http://www.interseroh-austria.com
EEE for commercial purposes (electrical or electronic devices that are intended solely for use by healthcare professionals employed in healthcare institutions) which was supplied by Medtronic, will be accepted by Medtronic Austria GmbH for proper disposal or recycling. In this case please contact Medtronic Austria.
Battery Waste Recycling
All batteries delivered by Medtronic are licensed to INTERSEROH Austria GmbH under the license number 144236. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at any local battery collection points. For more information, visit: http://www.interseroh-austria.com
Belgium
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of the national collection and recycling program for packaging in Belgium. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.valipac.be
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Melarec, the national collection and recycling program for WEEE in Belgium. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.recupel.be
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of the national collection and recycling program for battery waste in Belgium. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at local disposal bins available in some municipalities.
Croatia
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic distributors in Croatia cooperate with the company Eko-Ozra on packaging waste recycling. For more information, visit: www.eko-ozra.hr
WEEE and Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic distributors in Croatia cooperate with company Spectra Media d.o.o. WEEE and battery waste recycling.
Denmark
Packaging Waste Recycling
Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points and dedicated disposal bins. There is no producer-responsibility scheme in Denmark; instead, the collection of paper and packaging waste fall under the responsibility of municipalities.
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Elretur, one of the national collection and recycling programs for WEEE in Denmark. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at any municipal (local) WEEE collection point or dedicated disposal bins. To organize collection at their facility, customers are advised to contact Elretur. For more information, visit: http://www.elretur.dk
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Elretur, one of the national collection and recycling programs for WEEE and Batteries in Denmark. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at any municipal (local) WEEE collection point or dedicated disposal bins. For more information, visit: http://www.elretur.dk
Finland
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of PYR, a national collection and recycling program for packaging in Finland. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities. For more information, visit: PYR at http://www.pyr.fi.
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Elker Oy, one of the national collection and recycling programs for WEEE in Finland. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at any municipal WEEE or Pirkanmaan Ympäristökeskus collection point. For more information contact Elker Oy by e-mail (info@elker.fi) or visit http://www.elker.fi
Battery Waste Recycling
Information regarding battery waste recycling service is not available yet for Finland.
France
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic France has subscribed to the collective scheme Recylum, the national collection and recycling agreed collective scheme for WEEE from Medical Devices in France. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at any Recylum collection point. For more information or to become collection point contact Recylum by phone at: 0 810 001 777, or visit the website http://www.recylum.com/
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is participating in the collective recycling scheme implemented by SCRELEC for portable batteries. Customers can dispose of their battery waste in the dedicated disposal bins provided by SCRELEC. For more information, visit: http://www.screlec.fr/
Germany
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of INTERSEROH Dienstleistungs GmbH, which offers a countrywide collection and recycling program for take-back of any kinds of sales and transport packaging in Germany. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at any local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.interseroh.com
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of INTERSEROH Dienstleistungs GmbH, which offers a countrywide collection and recycling program for WEEE in Germany. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at local collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.interseroh.com
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of the foundation GRS-Batterien, which offers a countrywide collection and recycling program for the disposal of batteries. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at local collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.grs-batterien.de
Greece
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic Hellas is participating in the Collective Alternative Management System of Packaging Waste implemented by HE.R.R.Co (Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation). Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.herrco.gr
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic Hellas is participating in the collective recycling scheme implemented by Appliances Recycling S.A. for all WEEE categories. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities or retail shops. For more information, visit: http://electrocycle.gr
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic Hellas is participating in the collective recycling scheme implemented by AFIS for portable batteries. Customers can dispose of their battery waste in the dedicated disposal bins provided by AFIS. For more information, visit: http://www.afis.gr
Ireland
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic Ireland Ltd is not classed as a major producer of packaging waste in Ireland. Customers should dispose of packaging waste associated with Medtronic products through appropriate/designated waste streams in their facility.
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic Ireland Ltd meets its obligations for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) through registration with the Producer Register Limited (PRL: 00656), monthly data reporting to “Black Box” and is a member of WEEE Ireland Ltd compliance scheme. Customers with Medtronic and/or Covidien branded items of WEEE for disposal can contact Medtronic Ireland Ltd on + 353 (0) 1 511 1400.
Medtronic Ireland Limited offers a WEEE takeback scheme. To request a collection, please contact the Producer directly.
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic Ireland Ltd meets its obligations for waste batteries through registration with the Producer Register Limited (PRL), monthly data reporting to “Black Box” and is a member of WEEE Ireland Ltd compliance scheme. Customers should dispose of waste batteries through a licenced collection and disposal contractor or scheme or at a licenced local collection depot/point. For more information, visit: www.weeeireland.ie
Italy
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of CONAI, the national collection and recycling program for packaging in Italy. CONAI, National Packaging Consortium, is a private consortium of firms working towards the recovery and recycling of packaging issued for consumption on national territory, with the aim of meeting statutory targets. CONAI guarantees target achievement at the lowest economic cost of all the European consortia, working as a market subsidiary. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.conai.org
WEEE Recycling and Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Consorzio Re.Media, the most important Italian WEEE multi-chain collective compliance systems, with a market share of 40% in the fields of consumer electronics, air-conditioning, small household appliances and information and communication technology (ICT). Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at local Consorzio Re.Media collection points. For more information, visit: http://www.consorzioremedia.it
Netherlands
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of the national collection and recycling program for packaging in the Netherlands. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in municipalities. Waste volume and weight is reported to the local tax organization which also collects the waste fee.
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is partner of NVMP, the national collection and recycling program for WEEE in the Netherlands. Hospitals must dispose their WEEE waste locally through collection companies.
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of the national collection and recycling program for battery waste in the Netherlands. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at local collection points in dedicated collection bins.
Norway
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Gront Punkt, a national collection and recycling program for packaging in Norway. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities. For more information, visit: Gront Punkt at www.grontpunkt.no
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Renas, one of the national collection and recycling programs for WEEE in Norway. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at any municipal (local) WEEE collection point or dedicated disposal bins. For more information, visit: http://www.renas.no
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Renas, one of the national collection and recycling programs for WEEE and Batteries in Norway. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at any municipal (local) WEEE collection point or dedicated disposal bins. For more information, visit: http://www.renas.no
Poland
Packaging Waste Recycling in Poland
Medtronic cooperates with REKOPOL to fulfill the obligations on packaging waste recycling. REKOPOL is a commercial recovery organization responsible for collection and recycling packaging waste. Packaging waste can be disposed at packaging collection points provided by the company. For more information, visit: www.rekopol.pl
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic cooperates with CCR Relectra (CCR Group) to fulfill the obligations on WEEE recycling. CCR Relectra is a commercial recovery company, part of international CCR Group. On Medtronic's behalf, CCR Relectra is responsible for collecting and recycling WEEE. For more information, visit: http://www.reweee.pl/Reweee_Home_pl.html
Battery Recycling Waste
Medtronic cooperates with another company from CCR Group – CCR Rebat. This company is responsible for collection and recycling of battery waste, the obligation that is put on Medtronic by the 2006/66/EC Directive. For more information, visit: http://www.rebat.pl/REBATPL_CCR_pl.html?ActiveID=3571
Portugal
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Sociedade Ponto Verde, one of the national collection and recycling programs for packaging in Portugal. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.pontoverde.pt
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of ERP Portugal, the national collection and recycling program for WEEE in Portugal. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at local reception centers. For more information, visit: http://www.erp-portugal.pt/
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Ecopilhas, one of the national collection and recycling programs for battery waste in Portugal. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at local collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities, or through partnering collection companies. For more information, visit: http://www.ecopilhas.pt/portal/index.php
Slovenia
WEEE and Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic distributors in Slovenia cooperate for WEEE and battery waste recycling with the following companies: Slopak (www.slopak.si), ZEOS (www.zeos.si), and Interseroh (www.interseroh-gruppe.de)
Spain
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of the national collection and recycling program for packaging in Spain. Customers have to dispose packaging waste at their own local packaging collection points in dedicated disposal bins available in hospitals and/ or partnering collection companies.
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Ecoasimelec, the national collection and recycling program for WEEE in Spain. For WEEE disposal customers should contact Medtronic Iberica. For more information, visit: http://www.ecoasimelec.es/
Battery Waste Recycling
All batteries delivered by Medtronic are licensed to Ecopilas. Customers have two options depending on the battery types. Certain battery types (i.e., diabetes products) can be disposed at any battery collection points provided by battery recycling companies; other battery types (i.e., Physio control batteries) need to be retrieved by Ecopilas to dispose. For more information, visit: http://www.ecopilas.es/
For more information, contact: http://www.marm.es/
Sweden
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of REPA-registret, a national collection and recycling program for packaging in Sweden. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities. For more information, visit: REPA at www.repa.se
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Elkretsen, one of the national collection and recycling programs for WEEE in Sweden. Customers can dispose of their WEEE waste at any municipal WEEE collection point, or contact Elkretsen to organize collection at their facility. For more information, visit: Elkretsen at http://www.elkretsen.se
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Elkretsen, one of the national collection and recycling programs for batteries and WEEE in Sweden. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at any municipal battery collection point, or contact Elkretsen to organize collection at their facility. For more information, visit: Elkretsen at http://www.elkretsen.se
Switzerland
Packaging Waste Recycling
Packaging waste should be disposed at local packaging collection points, in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities.
WEEE Recycling
Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment which was supplied by Medtronic, will be accepted by Medtronic (Schweiz) AG for proper disposal or recycling. In this case please contact Medtronic (Schweiz) AG.
Battery Waste Recycling
All batteries delivered by Medtronic are licensed to Inobat Interessenorganisation Batterieentsorgung under the license number 586. Customers can dispose of their battery waste at local local battery collection points free of charge. For more information, visit: http://www.inobat.ch/
Turkey
Turkey is conducting compliance studies with EU legislations and arranging revisions of the local regulations towards EU Directives. The competent authority in Turkey for the environmental regulations was the Ministry of Environment and Forestry whose name was recently changed as Ministry of Environment and Urban Development in 2011. For more information about environmental regulations, General Directorate of Environmental Management website can be visited http://www.cygm.gov.tr
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic Turkey is a partner of ÇEVKO, Environmental Protection and packaging waste recycling Foundation which is authorized by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Since 2005, fillers, packers, importers, i.e. companies selling packaged products in the Turkish market, have been transferring their recycling obligations to the ÇEVKO Foundation. Medtronic Turkey has a contract with ÇEVKO to fulfill collection and recycling responsibilities for its packaging wastes due to the targets in the Regulation of Control of Packaging Wastes.
WEEE Recycling
WEEE regulation was issued in Turkey on 22.05.2012. Medical devices are in the scope of the regulation, but there are no recycling or recovery targets in weight for medical devices till 2016. Also the regulation excludes the implantable medical devices. There is no WEEE reporting for medical devices today in Turkey. For more information, visit: http://turkey.erp-recycling.org
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic Turkey is working with TAP, Portable Battery Producers and Importers Association which is the only authorized institution by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for the collection, transportation, storage and disposal of waste batteries since 2004. Consumers can collect their waste batteries at local collection points of TAP to be recycled or disposed. For more information, visit: http://www.tap.org.tr/
United Kingdom
Packaging Waste Recycling
Medtronic Limited meets its obligations for packaging and packaging waste regulations through membership of and annual data submission to the packaging waste compliance scheme administered by Ecosurety. Ecosurety are licenced by the Environment Agency (the regulator of packaging waste) to perform this administrative activity. Customers should dispose of packaging waste associated with Medtronic and/or Covidien branded products in the appropriate/designated waste streams in their facility. For details of Ecosurety, visit www.ecosurety.com
WEEE Recycling
Medtronic Limited meets its obligations for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) waste through membership of and annual data submission of data to the WEEE compliance scheme administered by B2B Compliance Ltd. This compliance scheme also provides a scoping, collection and disposal service of WEEE items on behalf of Medtronic Limited (Medtronic and/or Covidien branded items). By contacting the B2B Compliance Operations Team on +44 (0) 1691 676124 (option 2) you can request a collection of WEEE items from your facility. For more information, visit: www.b2bcompliance.org.uk
Battery Waste Recycling
Medtronic Limited meets its obligations for battery waste through membership of and quarterly data submission, to the battery waste compliance scheme administered by Ecosurety. Customers can dispose of their waste batteries through a licenced collection and disposal contractor such as Ecosurety, who can be contacted by phone on 0845 094 2228. For more information, visit: www.ecosurety.com
SHARPS DISPOSAL
Disposal of Medical Sharps
Buy a sharps container from a pharmacy or use an empty laundry detergent bottle with a screw-on lid. Do not store used sharps in glass bottles, aluminum cans, or coffee cans. If you are bringing used sharps to a hospital collection site or using a mail-back program, follow their requirements, which may include use of a purchased sharps container. Always keep all used sharps storage containers out of the reach of children.
Some clinics and hospitals have collection programs for needles, lancets, and syringes used by their patients at home. Ask your healthcare provider if your hospital has a collection program. If so, follow their storage and disposal instructions. Do not bring used needles and syringes to your hospital if they are unable to accept them.
Mail-back disposal programs allow home sharps users to mail used sharps to licensed disposal facilities as a safe disposal option. There is a fee charged for this service.
NEVER PLACE LOOSE NEEDLES AND SYRINGES IN THE TRASH!
For additional information, go to http://safeneedledisposal.org/ for needle disposal options by state.