Hospital Municipal de Maringá repurposes surgical waste into patient supplies

The Hospital Municipal de Maringá has launched the ‘Ciclo Reverso’ project to repurpose surgical waste. The initiative focuses on SMS fabric, a material similar to TNT used to wrap and protect surgical instruments and boxes.

Instead of being discarded after surgery, the material is sent to a sewing course at the Centro Social Urbano (CSU), managed by the Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance, Drug Policies, and the Elderly. Students there transform the fabric into ecobags, pouches, and other items.

These products are then returned to the hospital and distributed to patients who need assistance storing clothing, documents, or hygiene items during their hospitalization. The project was conceived by nurse Jéssica Marciano, who sought a way to reduce waste by utilizing the high-quality, resistant material used in surgical settings.