This deliverable adds to the findings of DiCE deliverable 3.1 "Recycling technology & optimised processes developed to improve recycling yields for digital health devices". A recycling desktop study was conducted for the new products within the project. The electrocardiogram (ECG) lead sets and the On Body Drug Delivery Systems (OBDS) were analysed to assess the baseline potential recycling and energy recovery rates. In addition, these two devices and an endocutter were analysed for their critical raw material (CRM) content to determine processing challenges and opportunities for recovery of the CRMs.
For the ECG lead sets, it is preferable if they are directed towards cable recycling. Assuming they are properly collected and separated, the current recycling rate is approximately 89%, with the remaining 11% allocated to energy recovery.
The recycling process for the OBDS is more complex. Most of its weight consists of plastics. The outer casing typically ends up in the density fraction where the material can be recovered. Internal plastic components are likely to enter the density fraction currently sent for energy recovery. However, ongoing developments aim to redirect this stream towards material recovery. Additionally, about 9% of the weight of the OBDS is the lithium battery, which must be removed prior to further processing. As of now, the expected recycling rate for the OBDS is approximately 67.9%, with a further 30.7% designated for energy recovery. With continuous technological advancements, the recycling rate is expected to improve further.
Regarding the CRM assessment, the bill of materials of the three products (ECG lead sets, OBDS and endocutter) provided limited information on the used CRMs. Generally, it was only indicated that the devices contain a printed circuit board (PCB) or alloys, both of which suggest the presence of CRMs. Conducting a comprehensive analysis required a specialised laboratory, as each material demands a specific standard and protocols. This process is both complex and costly, which is why each device was analysed for only a select number of CRMs at an external laboratory. Some CRMs, such as certain minerals and helium, were excluded due to their unlikely presence.
For the ECG lead sets, as expected for cables, a high concentration of copper was detected. The other two devices also contained copper, which can be explained by the presence of a PCB. The concentrations of other analysed CRMs were very low, consistent with typical usage patterns for CRMs. However, this low concentration complicates recovery efforts, as extracting materials present in small amounts is usually more challenging. Additionally, not all CRMs currently have recycling routes that are technologically mature and/or economically feasible.