CIRCULAR HEALTHCARE ECONOMY: REDESIGNING CARE FOR SUSTAINABILITY


Healthcare can heal people and protect the planet.


A circular healthcare economy reimagines how materials are designed, used, recovered, and reused - reducing waste, improving safety, and strengthening environmental stewardship across the care system.

WHAT WE'RE ADVANCING

  • Renewable and biodegradable materials for medical products and packaging
  • Waste reduction, reprocessing, and reuse strategies that lower environmental impact
  • Sustainable procurement and supply frameworks that transform how hospitals source goods
  • New recycling and materials recovery systems designed specifically for healthcare


WHY NEBRASKA / WHY EDGE

  • Bio-Based Materials Strength: Nebraska’s ethanol industry provides renewable feedstocks
  • Central Distribution Hub: Ideal location for production, storage, and reverse logistics
  • Institutional Leadership: UNMC is committed to advancing sustainability across clinical operations


DISTRICT OPPORTUNITIES

  • Co-develop sustainable materials and packaging with clinicians + material scientists
  • Pilot zero-waste and reuse models in real hospital environments
  • Build partnerships across industry, healthcare systems, and green-tech innovators