Product Recycling & Disposal
Find out what materials are used in our core product ranges and possible options for recycling & disposal.
Limbs & Things aims to incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations across the full lifecycle of their products. An important part of this commitment is helping customers identify what they can recycle, and how to dispose of products appropriately at the end of their life.
Many medical training products contain mixed materials to achieve durability, realism, and repeated clinical use. This can make end-of-life recycling more complex than for single-material consumer products.
Correct disposal and recycling of packaging and product components can help reduce environmental impact where suitable recycling or recovery facilities exist.
Below is an overview of the basic material guidelines, followed by a breakdown of major Limbs & Things products at component level.
What can be recycled?
Limbs & Things products are made from a wide variety of materials. Many of these materials can be recycled or are suitable for recovery, depending on local infrastructure. To find out what can be recycled in your area, contact your waste management company or search your local government website for more information.
Materials from Limbs & Things products are categories in 4 ways for recycling and disposal purposes. In the downloadable documents below, you’ll see material breakdowns and recycling possibilities.
(Please note: recycling of products will depend on local facilities and recycling schemes in your country and region. Symbols on this page are for illustrative purposes, and are not industry standard labeling.)
Widely Recycled
Cardboard and paper packaging, PET1, HDPE2, PP5, and metals are commonly recyclable
Specialist e-Waste
Electronics, cables and batteries are recyclable through e-waste facilities where available
Specialist Recycling
PVC3, LDPE4, PS6 and Other plastics may be recyclable at specialist facilities
Non-recyclables
Mixed material and silicone components require landfill disposal or specialist treatment to be recycled. Find out more about EfW below
Waste Hierarchy
The Waste hierarchy is a widely recognised framework that prioritises a range of waste management options according to their environmental impact. The main objective is to keep materials and products in use for as long as possible and recover maximum value before disposal.
Prevention – Avoid generating waste
- Products are manufactured with durable materials to provide customers with long-life trainers designed for repeated use
Replacement – Replacing only used components
- Replace worn or consumable parts instead of discarding whole products to avoid unnecessary disposal
Maintenance & Repair – Maintain a product to extend usage
- Routine in-house maintenance, cleaning, and component monitoring
- Expert repair from a trained Limbs & Things technician (note: not all Limbs products are repairable, contact your local rep or customer service with any queries)
Reuse – Using a product or component again without significant processing
- Using trainers for technique or anatomy practice once it reaches the end of its procedural life. e.g. Arm trainers can be used for basic bandaging practice
Recycling – Processing waste into new raw materials or products
- Send eligible parts and components to approved recycling facilities in line with local guidance. Learn more about plastics recycling and specialist e-waste treatments below
Recovery – Extracting value from non-recyclable materials
- Non-recyclable waste may be suitable for Energy from Waste (EfW), where available. Learn more about EfW below
Disposal – Discarding of materials in landfill
- Waste disposal without energy recovery, last resort when no other option is viable
What is plastics recycling?
Plastic recycling is the process of collecting, sorting and reprocessing plastic materials so they can be used to manufacture new products. Many plastic components can be recycled at the end of their useful life, helping to conserve valuable resources and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill or energy recovery.
According to the OECD's Global Plastics Outlook (2022), global plastic waste generation has more than doubled since 2000, yet only around 9% of plastic waste is currently recycled worldwide. Most plastic waste is still sent to landfill, incinerated or leaks into the environment. The OECD also reports that coordinated global policy action could increase plastic recycling rates to more than 40% by 2040.
Not all plastics are recycled in the same way. The type of polymer, the condition of the material and the presence of mixed materials or contaminants all influence how, and whether, a plastic can be recycled. Separating different plastic types and disposing of them through appropriate recycling systems helps maximise the amount of material that can be recovered and reused.
Where products contain recyclable plastic components, separating materials before disposal can help reduce contamination and improve recycling outcomes. Customers should use local recycling schemes or specialist recycling services in accordance with local regulations.
What is e-Waste?
e-waste, also known as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), refers to any electrical or electronic product that has reached the end of its useful life. This includes the whole device as well as all components and subassemblies attached to the product at the time it becomes waste.
WEEE can contain hazardous materials as well as value resources that cannot be safely handled in general waste streams. That's why products containing electrical components must be managed through regulated, specialist systems, supported by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
What is Energy from Waste (EfW)?
Energy from Waste (EfW) is a waste treatment process that recovers energy from residual waste that cannot be reused or recycled. Instead of being sent to landfill, this waste is treated in specialist facilities where it is combusted under controlled conditions to generate heat and electricity for homes, businesses and industry.
EfW forms part of an integrated approach to waste management in many countries, complementing recycling by providing a treatment option for materials that cannot be practically or economically recycled. However, the availability of Energy from Waste facilities varies significantly between countries and regions. Where EfW infrastructure is not available, residual waste may be managed through other approved waste treatment or disposal methods.
Recycling remains the preferred option wherever possible. Energy from Waste is generally intended for materials that cannot be recycled and should only be considered where appropriate facilities exist. Customers should follow local waste management guidance and regulations when disposing of residual waste.
Product Ranges
Select a product range to check component recycling.
The Abdominal Examination range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging, stainless steel, stainless steel/Delrin 150, steel, steel/zinc, aluminium
♻ 1 PET - Widely recycled: Carry cases
♻️ e-waste - Specialist recycling: Electrical components
♻ 2 HDPE - Specialist recycling: Icorene
♻ 3 PVC - Specialist recycling: Vinyl flooring
♻ 4 LDPE - Specialist recycling: Polyurethane
♻ 7 Other - Specialist recycling: Thermoplastics, foam
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, rubber, OnFlex, CYCLOY, Polyacetal resin, Neoprene, velcro, nylon, Flexocel
Download the full recycling information for the Abdominal Examination product family
The Cardiovascular and Respiratory Exam range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging, metals
♻ 5 PP - Widely recycled: EPP
♻️ e-waste - Specialist recycling: Electrical components, circuitry, RFID tags
♻ 7 Other - Specialist recycling: Compostable PE, ABS, FT60PPI, PA2210 FR
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, mixed materials, Elastosil, Nylon, SABIC Lexan, EOS TPU, Flexocel, Polyscetal, TPR,
Download the full recycling information for the CaRE trainers
The Catheterisation range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging
♻ 1 PET - Widely recycled: Plastic bottle
♻ 5 PP - Widely recycled: Plastic tray, plastic support
♻ 3 PVC - Specialist recycling: Vinyl flooring
♻ 7 Other - Specialist recycling: Sabic C6200 PC/ABS, Wonderlite PCC-110, Wonderlite PC-111, TPE TC9GPM 89ShA, Nylon
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, FST-7040, Acetal resin, Mixed materials
Download the full recycling information for the Catheterisation product family
The Chest Drain & Needle Decompression range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging, metals
♻ 1 PET - Widely recycled: PET, foam
♻ 5 PP - Widely recycled: Plastic bottle, connectors
♻ 3 PVC - Specialist recycling: Vinyl flooring
♻ 7 Other - Specialist recycling: MDPE, HDPE, Polyester, ABS, GPPS Plastic
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, mixed materials, RVT, polyacetal resin, Flexocel, Nylon
Download the full recycling information for the Chest Drain trainers
The CFPT range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging
♻ 1 PET - Widely recycled: Carry case components
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, foam, mixed materials
Download the full recycling information for the CFPT product family
The CMPT range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging
♻ 1 PET - Widely recycled: Carry case components
♻️ e-waste – Specialist recycling: LED pen torch
♻ 3 PVC – Specialist recycling: Vinyl flooring
♻ 7 Other – Specialist recycling: ABS
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, foam, mixed materials
Download the full recycling information for the CMPT product family
The Male Rectal range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging
♻ 1 PET - Widely recycled: Plastic bottle
♻ 5 PP - Widely recycled: Plastic tray, plastic support
♻ 3 PVC - Specialist recycling: Vinyl flooring
♻ 7 Other - Specialist recycling: Sabic C6200 PC/ABS, Wonderlite PCC-110, Wonderlite PC-111, TPE TC9GPM 89ShA, Nylon
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, FST-7040, Acetal resin, Mixed materials
Download the full recycling information for the Male Rectal product family
The PROMPT Flex range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging, metals
♻ 1 PET - Widely recycled: Polyester
♻ 5 PP - Widely recycled: Plastic bottle
♻️ e-waste - Specialist recycling: Electronic components & wires
♻ 3 PVC - Specialist recycling: Vinyl flooring
♻ 7 Other - Specialist recycling: Beyblend T65 XF PC/ABS, PU foam 73-78 Shore 00, polycarbonate, Sabic Lexan 940 PC, nylon
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, mixed materials, acetal
Download the full recycling information for the PROMPT Flex trainers
The Venipuncture Arm range contains the following materials:
♻️ - Widely recycled: Cardboard packaging, Metals
♻ 1 PET - Widely recycled: Plastic bottle
♻ 2 HDPE - Widely recycled: Plastic bottle
♻ 5 PP - Widely recycled: Expanded PP
♻ 3 PVC - Specialist recycling: Clamp, Hand pump
♻ 6 PS - Specialist recycling: High Impact Polystyrene
♻ 7 Other - Specialist recycling: Sabic C6200 PC/ABS, Wonderlite PCC-110, Wonderlite PC-111, TPE TC9GPM 89ShA, Nylon
▲ Non-recyclable – EfW & Landfill: Silicone, Latex, Polyacetal resin, mixed materials, Nitrile Butadiene Rubber
Download the full recycling information for the Venipuncture Arm product family
The guidance above is intended to provide general information on potential end-of-life management options for Limbs & Things products. Recycling, recovery and disposal routes vary by country, region and waste contractors. Customers should always follow applicable local regulations and advice from their waste management provider.
If you would like recycling information about other Limbs & Things products that aren't listed above, get in touch using the contact form below.
