The Covid 19 pandemic has generated huge amounts of waste from single-use medical devices, including rapid nanogold-based tests. Large quantities of these tests are discarded and incinerated. The incineration of one million rapid tests throws away 0.1 grams of gold and 5,000 kg of plastic with a total value of 15,000 €. In the project, we will recycle the rapid tests and separate the individual quality components (gold, plastic) and use them as a secondary source. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from incineration and achieve the transition to a circular economy through the efficient use of secondary resources. It also aims to provide an example of best practice in tackling more complex recycling challenges.
The content of the project follows the long-term goal of the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan, which is to reduce landfilling and increase the reuse and recycling of waste. The project is funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism under the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme in the amount of 674,873.85 €.
Project goal:
Development of a process and innovative technology for the disassembly and recycling of rapid tests into high value secondary raw materials (gold and plastic) for independent processing or incorporation into new products.
Project duration: 1. 10. 2022 - 30. 4. 2024
Project partners:
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor (lead partner)
- Plastika Skaza d.o.o.
- FTPO Slovenj Gradec
- IMT Ljubljana
- Zlatarna Celje d.o.o.
- UKC Maribor
- Surovina d.o.o. Maribor
