Treatment of healthcare waste at the Valenciennes Hospital Centre with Ecosteryl

To decontaminate the 700 tonnes of medical waste from the Valenciennes Hospital Centre, the facility has decided to install an Ecosteryl 250. This is a first for a hospital in France. Here’s a look back at this project, which began during the Covid pandemic.

Initiation of the project in 2021: Financial support to initiate the endeavor.

The initiative kicked off in 2021 during Ademe‘s call for projects, which offered financial aids to hospitals implementing internal waste treatment projects. Treating waste at its source not only eliminates transportation and the risk of hazardous waste spreading but also yields cost savings for hospitals handling substantial tonnage. Instead of high-temperature incineration, decontaminated waste can now follow standard household waste disposal procedures. Following a robust application process, the Valenciennes Hospital Centre secured Ademe’s approval to establish this internal project.

Equipment selection: Prioritizing reliability and eco-friendliness

Various options exist for decontaminating medical waste, prompting Valenciennes Hospital to issue a call for bids. Ecosteryl emerged as the chosen provider, selected for its robust Ecosteryl 250 machine, equipped with a 4-axis shredder. The decision was influenced by several factors including the machine’s durability, its operational advantages such as exclusive electricity usage (no water or steam required), ease of mobility, the reputable track record of Ecosteryl, responsive after-sales support, and innovative features. The Ecosteryl machine has a capacity to decontaminate 250 to 300kg per hour. Currently, Valenciennes Hospital operates the machine in one shift to process nearly 700 tonnes annually.

“The teams were trained for a full week during the installation. Every 10 minutes, the operator pushes the waste bin and the waste comes out dry, reduced in volume by 80%, and decontaminated a little over 1 hour after being shredded and heated to 100°C. The entire process is automated,” according to Mr. Ouali, head of the management and logistics department.

Internal transformations: revamped facilities and a restructured, skilled team

To accommodate the new equipment, a fresh warehouse has been constructed, prompting a thorough reevaluation of the waste management procedures. Adjustments have been made to the logistics teams, rejuvenating the department’s operations. The site’s aesthetic appeal has made it serve as a showroom for Ecosteryl. “We’re incredibly proud of every aspect of this project, from beginning to end. It’s been marked by perfect coordination, responsive teams—exactly the kind of relationships we value, and they truly enhance the quality of waste treatment.” remarks Amélie Matton, CEO of Ecosteryl. “Handling our own waste has an additional advantage: accountability. We’re further refining our sorting processes upstream with the support of healthcare teams and sustainable development coordinators. Teams are engaging in discussions and providing training across various departments. Ultimately, in just a few months, we’ve managed to further decrease our medical waste tonnage,” adds Mathieu Ouali, in charge of management and logistics at Valenciennes Hospital Centre.

This project is part of Axis #3 of the Interactions Establishment Project of the Valenciennes Hospital Centre, dedicated to reducing its environmental impact and ensuring the sustainability of care.

Press release from Ecosteryl and CH Valenciennes

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