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A Model for Plastic Neutrality in Dialysis: Converting Surrogate Plastic Waste to Sinkable Pebbles
Summary
Researchers in India developed a plastic neutrality model for dialysis centers, demonstrating that surrogate plastic waste — equivalent to double the monthly plastic generated by 25 dialysis patients — could be compressed into sinkable pebbles, offering a sustainable offset approach to the country's significant dialysis plastic waste problem.
Dialysis plastic waste is a growing problem in India, with an estimated 3 million kilograms generated each year. Effective disposal of dialysis plastic waste is not uniformly addressed, and there is a need for sustainable solutions. This study evaluated a plastic pebble model made from surrogate plastic equivalent to twice that generated during dialysis. The model was evaluated for its potential to offset dialysis plastic waste and its role in achieving sustainability in dialysis. Additionally, the model was used to advocate for and carry forward a campaign for plastic neutrality in dialysis. The amount of dialysis plastic waste generated in one month by 25 patients was quantified. The sinkable plastic pebble aggregate model was created by purchasing waste plastic, double the quantity of calculated DPW, from the market. The purchased plastic was then repurposed into sinkable plastic pebble aggregate to mimic blue metal. Various sample products were made in the form of slabs and bricks using sinkable plastic pebble aggregate, and compared to those made from blue metal and fired bricks. The stability and strength of the different products were compared, and the costs were analysed. The methodology was further used for advocacy and to campaign for plastic neutrality. The results showed that the sinkable plastic pebble aggregate model is a feasible and effective way to reduce plastic waste in dialysis. It is cost-effective, contributes to a circular economy, and helps reduce mining for blue metal and fertile soil for bricks. The model can also advocate for the use of plastic-neutral materials in dialysis to reduce environmental pollution. To conclude Sinkable plastic pebble surrogate model is a promising solution for offsetting plastic waste in dialysis. It is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and it helps to campaign for plastic neutrality in dialysis. Further study is needed to assess its impact on a larger scale.