Game-changing waste collection for smart hospitals

To further improve sanitary conditions, Envac introduces a new development – a system for handling infectious waste.

Infectious waste is put in special bags which are disposed of in a separate inlet and transported in a standalone system. In the collection station, the system converts the infectious waste into non-hazardous waste, which can be mixed with other waste or remain in a separate container. To maintain sanitary conditions, this system is disinfected automatically at regular intervals.

Reducing spread of infection

Collecting waste, laundry and infectious waste with Envac’s automated waste collection system (aka pneumatic waste collection system) reduces physical contact between people and dirty material to a minimum.

All types of waste – and the soiled linen- are transported in separate closed pipe networks, instead of on carts in corridors and elevators, which creates a safer environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

The closed systems and touchless waste inlets minimize the spread of infections, direct transmission, and accidents.

Inlet point

The number of inlet points and their location are defined by the functions of the hospital. Green pipe for general hospital waste and recyclables Red for soiled linen.

The inlets can be fitted with touchless technology that uses sensors for access control. The sensors recognize if it is waste, recyclables, laundry, or infectious waste, that is being disposed of.

Without any physical contact with buttons, handles, or panels to dispose of the waste, the spread of infections is minimized.

Air inlet

Air inlet valve for waste and linen transport pipes.

Air inlet

Air inlet valve for the infectious waste transport pipe.

Pipe network

The pipe network runs from the inlet points to the collection station hidden behind walls, in ceilings
and in the service corridors.

This ensures that the system remains discreet and unobtrusive while saving valuable square footage which can be utilized for other purposes.

Containers

Full containers are taken to the recycling center and returned empty.

Infectious waste

Infectious waste is collected in a separate, hermetically sealed pipe (yellow pipe).

The closed system and touchless waste inlets minimize the spread of infections, direct transmission, and
accidents.

Soiled linen bags drop

Soiled linen bags drop into containers for transport to laundry facility.

Air outlet

The transport air is filtered before being released.

Collection station

All materials are collected at one single point. The collection station is typically located in the
technical area at the back of the hospital.

Automatically controlled

All processes are automatically controlled by Envac's own development Envac Automation Platform (EAP).

Infectious waste

Infectious waste is collected in a separate, hermetically sealed pipe (yellow pipe).

The closed system and touchless waste inlets minimize the spread of infections, direct transmission, and accidents.

One system – but several pipe networks

The Envac set-up for hospitals is slightly different to our common system.

To tackle the challenges of clean and safe removal of laundry, waste, recyclables and now infectious waste, the four are transported through separate pipe networks while still remaining in the same system.

The inlets can be fitted with touchless technology that uses sensors for access control. The sensors recognize if it is waste, recyclables, laundry, or infectious waste, that is being disposed of.

Without any physical contact with buttons, handles, or panels to dispose of the waste, the spread of infections is minimized.

Our automated waste collection system system removes the need to transport laundry in trolleys or carts outside the ward, minimizing the spread of germs and bacteria as well as reducing operational cost.

Cost-efficient

Reducing manual handling of laundry and waste is not only beneficial from a health perspective, but it is also cost-efficient. The automatic transportation of waste reduces the need for a large workforce of orderlies and hospital attendants to transport and sort laundry and waste. Less waste transportation with carts in corridors and culverts also reduces the wear and tear of the hospital building which means less maintenance cost.

Our system is integrated in the walls, floors, and culverts of the hospital building and removes the need to transport laundry in trolleys or carts, minimizing the spread of germs and bacteria as well as reducing operational cost.

Ecology and hospital image

For any hospital, patient and staff welfare is crucial, but hospitals can also play their part in a more sustainable future. Envac’s automated waste collection system can be designed to handle several waste fractions within the hospital.

Our system also removes the unsightly manual transport of waste and laundry throughout the hospital, providing patients and visitors with a better experience of the hospital. An eco-friendly hospital environment with state of the art technology attracts both top health care professionals and patients.

Envac healthcare videos

Patient safety

With an Envac system (aka AWCS/PWCS), waste and soiled linen is transported in a closed pipe network hidden within the fabric of the building.<br>There is no longer any need to manually move waste or linen around in busy corridors and lifts.

Improved working environments

When waste and soiled linen is collected with an Envac system (aka AWCS/PWCS) the physical contact between human and dirty material is kept to a minimum.<br>The risk of waste related strain injuries, cut wounds, accidents and infection is close to eliminated.<br>Elevators can be used for transportation of patients, staff and visitors – not for carts with waste bags.

Low operational expenditure

If hospitals can reduce the wear and tear attributable to transporting waste materials in vehicles and carts, it also means they can reduce their maintenance costs. By pneumatically transporting waste and soiled linen in sealed pipes, hospitals can also reduce their staff costs, too.

Hospital image

An eco-friendly hospital environment with state of the art technology attracts top health care professionals and patients.

Enhanced logistics, improved efficiencies

High performance, fast collection, sealed transportation from ward to waste collection terminal, 24/7 availability and adaptable to any volumes. The closed system and touch-free waste inlets minimize the spread of infections, droplet transmission and accidents.

Envac healthcare projects

Read more about different healthcare facilties where Envac´s technology is used .

Let's talk

Do you want to know more about Envac? Simply submit the form and your local Envac office will be in touch as soon as possible.