By Julius Ewudo, Cyber Era NG ASEAN Region Representative
CooperSurgical has launched sustainARTSM, a pilot initiative exploring how plastics associated with the IVF laboratory products it manufactures can be collected and recycled.
The initiative reflects CooperSurgical’s commitment to taking responsibility for plastics associated with its products and exploring practical approaches for how those materials can be collected and recycled.
The pilot brings together CooperSurgical, Adora Fertility and recycling technology company Transmutation to evaluate how selected plastics used in IVF can be collected from laboratories and processed for recycling.
The first collection of materials was delivered this week to Transmutation’s recycling facility in Melbourne, marking the start of the sustainARTSM pilot.
Medical companies rely on specialised single-use plastics to maintain sterility and consistency. The sustainARTSM pilot is exploring how selected plastic packaging materials can be collected and recycled without disrupting laboratory workflows or processes.
Executive General Manager – Australia and New Zealand at CooperSurgical, Shaun Hand said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to supporting innovation across the fertility sector.
“IVF labs play a critical role in helping create future generations,” said Hand.
“Through sustainARTSM we are exploring how plastics associated with the products we manufacture can be responsibly collected and recycled, while maintaining the rigorous standards required.
One of Australia’s leading fertility clinic networks, Adora Fertility, is the first company participating in the pilot. CEO of Adora Fertility, Vanessa Ferguson said the initiative reflects Adora’s commitment to innovation in fertility care.
“We are proud to be the first clinic participating in the sustainARTSM pilot,” said Ferguson.
“Innovation in fertility care extends beyond treatment itself. It also includes how our clinics operate and how we continue to improve the way we work.”
“Our participation in the sustainARTSM pilot demonstrates commitment to our ESG principles and a proactive approach to sustainability and waste reduction.”
Scientific Director of Adora Fertility, Emma Ebinger highlights the importance of such an initiative in the work performed in the laboratory. “Our work in IVF focuses on creating babies, so it is rewarding for us to be able to support initiatives that help build a better, more sustainable world for the babies we create.”
Materials collected through the pilot are delivered to Transmutation, an Australian recycling technology company specialising in transforming difficult-to-recycle plastics into durable infrastructure materials.
Managing Director of Transmutation, Brad Scott said the collaboration demonstrates how advanced recycling innovation can be applied to complex, high-standard environments such as healthcare.
“Healthcare environments generate specialised plastic waste streams that have historically been difficult to recycle,” said Scott. “What’s important about this collaboration is that it’s being explored within real clinical settings, where safety and process integrity come first.
By working alongside CooperSurgical and Adora Fertility, we’re able to apply advanced recycling technologies in a way that respects those standards — while opening up new possibilities for how these materials can be responsibly managed.”
Building on Existing Sustainability Initiatives
The sustainARTSM pilot builds on a number of sustainability initiatives CooperSurgical has undertaken to explore responsible materials management across its operations and supply chain.
These initiatives include collaborations with recycling partners to repurpose plastic materials into FuturePost fencing, as well as recycling programs for temperature-controlled shipping materials such as Woolpack packaging used in logistics.
Through initiatives such as sustainARTSM, CooperSurgical continues to explore practical approaches to managing plastics associated with IVF laboratory products while maintaining the quality and safety standards required in healthcare environments.
