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"Beyond recycling” is more than a slogan — it reflects a fundamental shift in how we approach waste.
“In today’s healthcare environment, recycling alone is no longer sufficient to meet growing environmental, regulatory and ethical expectations. What’s required is a new mindset — one that reimagines waste not as an endpoint, but as part of a continuous cycle,” explains Liezl Myburgh, Manager: Environmental Management Systems and Training.
Mediclinic’s shift has been shaped not by theory, but by practice. Across 49 hospitals and 6 years of data, the story is compelling: transformation. In 2021, the majority of waste generated was sent to landfill. Today, that picture has been reversed: most waste is now diverted, reused or composted. This is not simply a change in percentages, but in real, measurable impact — thousands of tonnes of material that are no longer diverted to landfill.
She explains that between 2021 and 2025, Mediclinic’s total waste volumes decreased from approximately 4,600 tonnes to 3,874 tonnes. More significantly, landfill waste dropped dramatically from over 3,000 tonnes to just 860 tonnes. At the same time, diverted waste nearly doubled, rising from 1,580 tonnes to over 3,000 tonnes. The overall diversion rate increased from 38% to 79%, reflecting a decisive shift toward more sustainable, responsible waste practices.
The Three Pillars of Sustainable Waste Practice
“Our progress did not stem from a single intervention. It is the result of a deliberate, integrated approach built on three key pillars,” Myburgh highlights.
The first is governance. Standardised waste management processes, supported by ISO 14001 environmental management systems, ensure consistency and accountability across all facilities. Measuring the same metrics consistently creates a reliable foundation for improvement.
The second is people and culture. Waste management is ultimately a human system. Dedicated on-site waste sorters, internal “green champions”, staff training and awareness campaigns have all played a critical role. Behaviour change — supported by clear incentives and routines such as food waste segregation — has proven essential.
The third is infrastructure. Effective systems depend on practical enablers: the right bins, in the right locations, with clear signage and communication. Without this physical framework, even the best intentions fall short.
Together, these elements have driven a step change in performance. Importantly, the data shows that targeted interventions at key points — such as introducing on-site sorting and separating food waste — have a far greater impact than simply increasing effort. The lesson is clear: strategic action beats incremental improvement.
Upstream Focus on Zero Waste
But even with a 79% diversion rate, the scale of hospital waste remains significant. Across Mediclinic Southern Africa, nearly 4,000 tonnes of waste are generated annually — a reminder that recycling, while essential, is not the end goal. To move closer to zero waste, the focus must shift upstream.
This is where regulation is accelerating change. South Africa’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and the National Waste Management Strategy have fundamentally altered the landscape. Producers are now accountable for the full lifecycle of their products, with clear targets for collection, recycling and recovery. Compliance is no longer optional — it is enforceable, with significant penalties for non-compliance.
At the same time, national targets are driving increased landfill diversion, with a long-term ambition of zero waste to landfill. For the healthcare sector and Mediclinic in particular, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity: to lead by example in adopting more sustainable, circular practices.
The Circular Economy
Central to this transition is a move away from the traditional linear “take, make, dispose” model toward a circular economy. In a circular system, materials are kept in use for as long as possible, with waste streams repurposed into new inputs, including the donation of equipment, which can be repurposed or used elsewhere, when it is no longer suitable for hospital use. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also lowers costs and mitigates regulatory risk.
Perhaps the most important shift, however, is conceptual. What we have historically labelled as “waste” is, in many cases, simply a resource in the wrong place. Recognising this opens the door to innovation.
Partnerships have already demonstrated what is possible. Technologies such as CRDC Resin8 are enabling hard-to-recycle plastics to be converted into construction materials, incorporating waste into infrastructure rather than sending it to landfill. Similarly, initiatives like the Zerocrete trial are transforming internal waste streams into durable assets, such as furniture, paving and walkways, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
These examples illustrate a broader evolution — from managing waste to regenerating value. The question is no longer “how do we dispose of this?” but rather “what can this become?”
Priorities for the Journey Ahead
Looking ahead, three priorities stand out.
First, continued behaviour change. Sustained progress depends on embedding awareness and accountability into everyday actions across all levels of an organisation.
Second, proactive engagement with legislation. The healthcare sector must work closely with regulators to develop frameworks that balance infection control requirements with circular economy principles.
Third, ongoing exploration of new opportunities. From procurement decisions to emerging technologies and partnerships, the next phase of progress lies in addressing difficult waste streams and in designing waste out from the start.
Ultimately, the goal is not simply to improve a diversion rate. It is to build a system where healthcare delivery supports both human and environmental wellbeing — where every operational decision contributes to a more sustainable future.
“Mediclinic’s journey from 38% to 79% diversion demonstrates that meaningful change is possible. The next step is to go further — beyond recycling, toward a truly circular model where waste is no longer an outcome, but a resource in motion,” she concludes.