Envetec

Envetec is a wholly Irish-owned company with a global vision to create clean change. Envetec’s mission is to revolutionise how laboratories across the life science sector treat biohazardous waste, particularly single-use plastics, significantly transforming how lab environments approach sustainability.

Over 90 million pounds (41 million KGs) of biohazardous waste is generated and stored for disposal every day. The majority of this waste will end up being autoclaved, incinerated or both and ultimately will end up in landfill. With laboratories around the world being put under increasing pressure to reduce their carbon emissions the global impact of traditional biohazardous waste treatment methods has become more apparent than ever. There has been no truly sustainable solution, until now.

Envetec’s GENERATIONS™ is a patented, environmentally friendly, clean technology solution engineered for laboratories in the life science industries. Its validated technology is installed on-site enabling the recycling of up to 100% of plastics at source in a safe, effective and environmentally sustainable way. GENERATIONS™ is non-thermal and utilizes a proprietary biodegradable chemical. The system’s unique capabilities convert biohazardous waste into a recyclable flake that is entirely safe for transport and recycling.

GENERATIONS™ utilizes a combination of a robust shredding process and proprietary chemical treatment to achieve consistent inactivation of biohazardous material that is in line with STAATT IV requirements. The organic chemical compound used in the treatment process is also used in numerous applications, including as a chemical disinfectant in healthcare, food and water treatment sectors. The shredding process ensures that all parts of the waste is subjected to the chemical treatment process.

Multiple independent, peer-reviewed comparative studies have been carried out on GENERATIONS™, comparing the GENERATIONS™ process to traditional biohazardous waste treatment methods. The collective data from these independent reports shows that GENERATIONS reduces biohazardous waste-related CO2 emissions by 90% on average when compared to traditional treatment methods.

The reports also found additional benefits to treating biohazardous laboratory waste with GENERATIONS™, such as:

• GENERATIONS™ is an essential link in the laboratory plastics recycling chain, as treated plastics are suitable for recycling.
• GENERATIONS™ used 70% less water per cycle on average compared to on-site autoclave and rotoclave technologies.
• The GENERATIONS™ process also reduced transport related emission by over 94%
• Cost centres can now become revenue streams.
• GENERATIONS™ significantly supports scope 3 initiatives, which was previously inaccessible.

Envetec was founded in 2021 as a spin-out from Technopath Clinical Diagnostics, a leader in clinical diagnostics whose clients included global diagnostic companies and clinical laboratories. Envetec’s executive and board have chaired or directed sector appropriate businesses in the past, from world class healthcare companies and pharmaceutical conglomerates to global non-profits and financial services. Its leadership team fosters a passion for excellence, a drive for innovation and a mission that will make a real difference.