RECYPEN, a collective approach of innovation in circular economy!
EducationalECO-DESIGN IN INJECTION DEVICES: REDUCING IMPACT / PRESERVING CARE
2026-05-27 | 04:20 PM - 04:35 PM | TPSD Room
Abstract
Recypen is a unique french initiative dedicated to the collection and recycling of needle‑free medical devices used in chronic treatments, such as insulin pens. The program is based on a cross‑industry collaboration between lilly, sanofi and DASTRI, bringing together pharmaceutical companies, a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) and retail pharmacies. Its objective is to consolidate small volumes of complex, specialized plastics from medical devices across thousands of collection points in France.
This creates a real opportunity for plastics engineers to address the challenge of recycling multi‑material healthcare products. Recypen is built on three core principles: it is collective, it is local, and it relies on an existing national collection network. All processing and recycling activities are carried out in france, supporting a circular economy approach in healthcare plastics. The main challenges include patient and healthcare professional engagement, education, and the recycling of complex medical devices, but the program demonstrates that innovation is possible when industry partners work together.
