Product and Packaging Disposition
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, certain electronic products must be returned directly to Medtronic. Contact your medical clinic or Medtronic sales representative for return instructions.
Recycling in the United States
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. For further information, please see the U.S. EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/live.htm.
Recycling in Canada
Environment Canada reports that more than 140,000 metric tons of used electronics were sent to Canadian landfills annually. In addition to causing adverse affects 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 web pages at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/link_gov_prov_e.html.
Recycling in Europe
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
The European Union (EU) has implemented the WEEE Directive to ensure there are systems in place in the EU countries for the collection, treatment and recycling of waste electronic products. At Medtronic, product stewardship is a key element of our EHS program – the proper handling of products at end of life, however, must be a shared effort between our company and our customers. 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). The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment will support natural resource conservation and help to protect human health and the environment.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste
Collection and recycling services for household waste packaging materials are also offered in many European countries. Packaging waste should not be disposed of with other household waste; it should be collected separately for recycling. See European (Union) Country Recycling Services for available national packaging collection and recycling services. Collecting and recycling waste packaging materials assists in minimizing potential negative impacts to the environment and human health.
European (Union) Country Recycling Centers
Austria
WEEE Recycling in Austria
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Austria
Medtronic is a licensed partner of ARA, the national collection and recycling program for packaging in Austria. 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, contact:
http://www.ara.at
Belgium
WEEE Recycling in Belgium
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Belgium
Medtronic is a licensed partner of Val-I-Pac, 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, contact:
http://www.valipac.be
Cyprus
WEEE Recycling in Cyprus
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Czech Republic
WEEE Recycling in Czech Republic
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Czech Republic
Medtronic has enlisted with EKO-KOM, the national scheme in the Czech Republic for co-financing take-back and recovery of packaging waste through municipal schemes of separate collection.
For more information, contact:
http://www.ekokom.cz/
Denmark
WEEE Recycling in Denmark
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Denmark
The collection and recycling responsibility for packaging in Denmark is managed by the municipalities, and customers must use the waste systems assigned by the municipalities.
For more information, contact:
http://www.mst.dk
Estonia
WEEE Recycling in Estonia
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Finland
WEEE Recycling in Finland
Finlands national collection and recycling program is arranged by Elker Oy. Medtronic customers can dispose of their old equipment at any municipal WEEE or Pirkanmaan Ympäristökeskus collection point.
For more information, contact:
Elker Oy
Web: http://www.elker.fi
E-mail: info@elker.fi
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Finland
Medtronic has enlisted with PYR, the national collection and recycling program for packaging in Finland. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points or in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities.
For more information, contact:
http://www.pyr.fi
France
WEEE Recycling in France
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in France
The national collection and recycling program for packaging in France is Eco Emballage. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points or in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities.
For more information, contact:
http://www.ecoemballages.fr
Germany
WEEE Recycling in Germany
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Germany
Medtronic participates in the German DSD (Duales System Deutschland AG) collection and recycling scheme for packaging. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at any local collection point, or use the dedicated disposal bins for packaging provided by their local authority.
For more information, contact:
http://www.gruener-punkt.de
Greece
WEEE Recycling in Greece
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Hungary
WEEE Recycling in Hungary
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Iceland
WEEE Recycling in Iceland
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available for this country. As soon as it becomes available, it will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Iceland
The local authorities are responsible for the collection of municipal waste. Items not collected by the municipality can be dropped at cooperative (regional) bring-in sites. In the Reykjavik area, this is managed by Sorpa bs.
For more information, contact:
http://www.sorpa.is/user/home
Ireland
WEEE Recycling in Ireland
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Ireland
The national collection and recycling program for packaging in Ireland is Repak. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points or in dedicated disposal bins in some municipalities.
For more information, contact:
http://www.repak.ie
Italy
WEEE Recycling in Italy
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Italy
Medtronic has enlisted with the national collection and recycling program for packaging in Italy, which is administered by CONAI (the National Packaging Consortium). Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points or in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities.
For more information, contact:
http://www.conai.org
Latvia
WEEE Recycling in Latvia
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Lithuania
WEEE Recycling in Lithuania
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Luxembourg
WEEE Recycling in Luxembourg
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Malta
WEEE Recycling in Malta
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Netherlands
WEEE Recycling in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the national collection and recycling scheme is Stichting NVMP. Medtronic customers can dispose of their old equipment at municipal collection points. Professional users can dispose of their waste at a Regional Overslag Station (ROS).
For more information, contact:
Stichting NVMP
Postbus 190
2700 AD Zoetermeer
E-mail: nvmp@fme.nl
http://www.nvmp.nl/
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in the Netherlands
Medtronic has enlisted with the Nedvang foundation, an organization administering the collection and recycling of packaging waste in the Netherlands. Packaging waste from private households can be disposed of at local waste collection points or in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities. Businesses are responsible to dispose of packaging waste through licensed waste collectors.
For more information, contact:
http://www.nedvang.nl/
Norway
WEEE Recycling in Norway
Norway's national collection and recycling program is El-Retur. Medtronic customers can dispose of their old equipment at any municipal WEEE collection point. It is also possible to make an agreement with El-Retur to arrange pickup of electrical/electronic waste directly at a hospital.
For information, contact:
Elretur A/A
Web: http://www.el-retur.no
Email: info@elretur.no
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Norway
The collection and recycling responsibility for packaging waste in Norway is managed by the municipalities, and customers must use the waste systems assigned by the municipalities.
For more information, contact:
http://www.sft.no/arbeidsomr/avfall/
Poland
WEEE Recycling in Poland
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Poland
The Inspection for Environmental Protection [government authority] is supervising the national collection and recycling scheme. Commercial companies must operate according to legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to packaging waste. Medtronic is participating in recycling on a regular basis under agreement with a commercial company.
For more information, contact:
http://www.gios.gov.pl
Portugal
WEEE Recycling in Portugal
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Slovakia
WEEE Recycling in Slovakia
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Slovenia
WEEE Recycling in Slovenia
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Spain
WEEE Recycling in Spain
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Sweden
WEEE Recycling in Sweden
Sweden’s national collection and recycling program is El-Kretsen. Medtronic customers can dispose of their old equipment at any municipal WEEE collection point. It is also possible to make an agreement with El-Kretsen to arrange pick-up of electric/electronic waste directly at a hospital.
For information, contact:
El Kretsen
Web: http://www.el-kretsen.se
Tel: +46 8-545 212 90
Email: info@el-kretsen.se
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Sweden
Medtronic has enlisted with the Swedish national collection and recycling program for packaging REPA. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points or in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities.
For more information, contact:
http://www.repa.se
Switzerland
WEEE Recycling in Switzerland
For electrical devices, Switzerland's national collection and recycling program is SWICO. Customers can return their old electrical equipment free of charge at local municipal collection points.
For more information, contact:
http://www.swico.ch
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in Switzerland
Switzerland has a voluntary disposal and recovery system for packaging waste that includes cost-free collections of paper and cardboard, carried out by municipalities and private organizations. Plastic films and composite packaging material can be disposed of as unsorted municipal waste.
For more information, contact:
http://www.umwelt-schweiz.ch/buwal/fr/index.html
Turkey
Medtronic encourages its customers and other generators of used electronic equipment to visit the official website of the Turkish Environment and Forestry Ministry for recycling opportunities and the latest regulations.
For more information, contact:
www.cevreorman.gov.tr
United Kingdom
WEEE Recycling in the United Kingdom
Information regarding WEEE recycling service is not available yet for this country. As soon as it becomes available, the information will be placed on this web site.
*Please note that implanted medical devices and infected products are not regulated under the WEEE Directive but rather must be disposed of as medical waste.
Packaging Waste Recycling in the United Kingdom
Medtronic has enlisted with Valpak, the national collection and recycling program for packaging in the United Kingdom. Customers can dispose of their packaging waste at local packaging collection points or in dedicated disposal bins available in some municipalities.
For more information, contact:
www.valpak.co.uk
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Information for WEEE Treatment Facilities
As part of complying with the EU WEEE Directive, Medtronic will provide information that may be necessary for the appropriate treatment/recycling, at end of life, of our products placed on the European market as of August 13, 2005. Treatment facility representatives can click on the Business Division links below to obtain further information.
WEEE Product Information by Medtronic Business Division
Medtronic Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management ─ Cardiac monitors, external pulse generators, recorder activators, CareLink® programmers, analyzers, accessories
Electrical/electronic products include, for example: CareLink programmers, analyzers, and monitors; Paceart® modules; Marquis®, Gem®, Chronicle® and Kappa® monitors; external temporary pacemakers; Atakr II® RF ablation generators and foot switches; Reveal® Plus and Conexus® activators; inCheck Patient Assistant and SentryCheck™ monitors.
To facilitate the sound treatment of WEEE, information will be made available for current Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management products upon request.
Treatment facility personnel can contact us at rs.ehsinfocrdm@medtronic.com to obtain relevant information.
Medtronic CardioVascular ─ Ablation generators, blood oxygenators and pumps, platelet separators, autotransfusion systems
Electrical/electronic products include, for example: ACT Plus®, ACTtrac®, autoLog, Bio-Console® 560, Handcrank 150, Pressure Display Box, TX 50, AAR-1000, Bio-Cal®, Performer, HMS Plus, Magellan, BioTrend® 313-11 ACT Temp Verification Cartridge, 300-10 HMS Temp Verification Cartridge, 540T, ACT II, and Cardioblate®.
To facilitate the sound treatment of WEEE, information will be made available for current CardioVascular products upon request.
Treatment facility personnel can contact us at EHSINFO-CS@medtronic.com to obtain relevant information.
Medronic Diabetes (MiniMed) ─ Insulin pumps, transmitters and programmers; glucose monitors and transmitters
Electrical/electronic products include, for example: Com-Station, Com-Link, Paradigm® insulin pumps, Guardian® Real-Time continuous glucose monitoring systems, CGMS® System Gold.
To facilitate the sound treatment of WEEE, information will be made available for current Diabetes products upon request.
Treatment facility personnel can contact us at rs.nrsafetydepartment@medtronic.com to obtain relevant information.
Medtronic Emergency Response Systems ─ LIFEPAK® defibrillators/monitors and automatic external defibrillators, training systems, and accessories
Electrical/electronic products include, for example: Automatic external defibrillators LifePak Models 12, 20, 500, 1000, CRPlus, and LP Express; training systems for various LifePak models; power adaptors; battery support systems.
To facilitate the sound treatment of WEEE, information will be made available for current Emergency Response System products upon request.
Treatment facility personnel can contact us at jennifer.manera@medtronic.com to obtain relevant information.
Medtronic ENT and Neurologic Technologies ─ Surgical motors and accessories, pulse generators, endoscopic/irrigation pumps, nerve monitors, penlights, waterbaths
Electrical/electronic products include, for example: XPS®, NIM®, Endo-Scrub®, IPC®, Visao®, Meniett®, Powerforma, Xcalibur®, Skeeter®, OPHTHO-BURR®, WET-FIELD®, MicroFrance®, StrataVarius®, PowerBath®, Power Pen®, Camlite®, Legend®, Midas Rex®, EHS
To facilitate the sound treatment of WEEE, information will be made available for current ENT and Neurologic Technologies products upon request.
Treatment facility personnel can contact the appropriate Medtronic business to obtain relevant information by clicking on one of the following links:
- Medtronic ENT (Xomed)®
(XPS, NIM, Endo-Scrub, IPC, Visao, Meniett, Powerforma, Xcalibur, Skeeter, OPHTHO-BURR, WET-FIELD, MicroFrance) - Medtronic Powered Surgical Solutions (Legend, MIDAS REX, EHS)
- Medtronic Neurosurgery
(StrataVarius, Power Bath, Power Pen, Camlite)
Medtronic Neuromodulation ─ Test stimulators/screeners, rechargers, patient and clinician programmers, transmitters, controllers, generators, and diagnostic equipment
Electrical/electronic products include, for example: Test Stimulators, PTM, MyPTM®, ENS, Single and Dual Channel Screeners, Neuro diagnostics.
To facilitate the sound treatment of WEEE, information will be made available for current Neuromodulation products upon request.
Treatment facility personnel can contact us at rsneuroehs@medtronic.com to obtain relevant information.
Medtronic Spinal / Navigation ─ Image-guided surgical systems; console drives and accessor
Electrical/electronic products include, for example: Stealth, StealthStation®, Treon®, Tria®, AziEM, Polestar®, O-Arm®, INav®, LandmarX®, elemENT, and Evolution.
To facilitate the sound treatment of WEEE, information will be made available for current Navigation products upon request.
Treatment facility personnel can obtain relevant information by contacting us at:
Medtronic Navigation
Central Support
1-800-595-9709
or 720-890-3200, Extension. 3160
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, The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency publishes guidance on home needle disposal at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/hhw/sharps.cfm.