a win-win for hospitals and the environment
We are delighted to share that Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) has received the HSE Climate and Sustainability Recognition Award in the Waste Management category, a real testament to their commitment to environmental responsibility through medical remanufacturing.
Through our strategic partnership with Vanguard AG, Zehnacker is proud to have supported the introduction of remanufactured single-use surgical instruments to CUMH, delivering environmental and financial benefits
Strong partnerships lead to smarter, more sustainable healthcare
Since the project’s inception, more than 600 surgical instruments originally labelled as single-use have been successfully remanufactured, avoiding over 130 kilograms of hazardous medical waste that would otherwise have been incinerated.
For each eligible device returned for remanufacturing, the hospital receives procurement credit. For CUMH, that has amounted to €2,800 to date, a direct financial benefit alongside waste reduction.
Getting started
Setting up device remanufacturing is safe, proven and supported by national legislation. The process is scalable. The results are measurable and repeatable.
✅ We train staff on how to identify and dispose of eligible surgical devices.
✅ We provide labelled collection boxes and step-by-step instructions.
✅ Staff place pre-cleaned devices and reference labels in the box after each procedure.
✅ We handle collection, logistics and export to our certified remanufacturing partner in Germany.
This collaboration shows what’s possible when hospitals, partners and innovators come together with a shared commitment to sustainability.
Together, we are taking climate action.
We’re excited to continue supporting CUMH and other leading hospitals across Ireland as we move toward a greener, more circular future in medical device use.
Discover how this award-winning initiative in remanufactured electrosurgical devices is reducing emissions, lowering costs, and shaping the future of sustainable healthcare at CUH and CUMH.