Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(10), P. 4672 - 4672

Published: May 20, 2025

Durable plastics are a sustainability challenge for healthcare products. Orthopedic products regulated with strict specifications human tissue interactions. Healthcare engineers and managers select plastic to meet the full range of material properties. Plastic is plentiful, low cost, reliable, established supply chains. Used can be discarded using existing waste management systems externality costs orthopedic businesses. However, produced from fossil petroleum, raising issues commitments product companies. Barriers transition away single-use toward circular bio-based have been studied, but goal that has yet realized. This research article reports on engineering design sprint medium-sized company specializing in orthoses children teenagers. The process engages experts perspectives role unsustainable illuminates opportunities capturing value business transition. Two system project concepts were co-developed. first concept map aims converge satisfaction essential needs usefulness under limitations biophysically constrained future economy. second an orthopedics library data would allow reusing fit-for-purpose used inform refurbishment In addition explanation two concepts, presents reflections co-design stakeholders usability concepts. provides real-world application processes reflection by results. results indicate co-designed could enable address its aspirations potentially resolve dissonance viability.

Language: Английский