The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), through its Faculty of Economics and Management, recently hosted the kick-off meeting of the ECO-Waste project. This 18-month Erasmus+ KA210-VET initiative focuses on reducing the environmental, economic, and health impacts of surgical waste by promoting circular economy principles in healthcare. Surgical waste—especially from operating rooms—is one of the most harmful types of medical waste and contributes significantly to CO2 emissions, making sustainable hospital waste management an urgent challenge.
ECO-Waste aims to equip healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, managers—with practical skills and knowledge to reduce, reuse, and recycle surgical waste through specialized vocational training. The project also develops financial and operational strategies to improve waste management in hospitals.
We collaborate closely with partners from Turkey and Finland to share best practices, conduct pilot trainings, and organize study visits, including an upcoming event in Finland. These activities provide healthcare staff with hands-on experience and help build valuable international networks.
For us at CZU and especially at the Faculty of Economics and Management, ECO-Waste represents an important step in deepening our commitment to sustainability and circular economy education in healthcare. We are dedicated to integrating sustainable practices into our training programs and expanding our expertise in managing surgical waste efficiently and cost-effectively.
Our goal in this project is to empower healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills to apply circular economy principles every day, develop innovative financial management plans, and foster a culture of waste reduction and recycling within healthcare settings. This work aligns closely with our broader mission to advance environmental awareness and sustainability through research, education, and collaboration.
