AFFIDEA

Affidea Greece consistently undertakes initiatives to balance economic growth through its nationwide network with the need to protect the environment. The aim is to reduce its ecological footprint by incorporating best practices of sustainable development in its strategic planning. Specifically, through the re:contrast programme, the need for new iodine is reduced, as both its extraction and its presence in water is reduced, as its recovery and re-use means that it is not released into wastewater.

Radiologic technologists and medical imaging professionals operating diagnostic imaging equipment, such as CT scanners, where contrast media are administered as part of the examination process.

From 2023 until today.

This is a innovative project to recycle iodine residues from contrast media used in CT scans. Affidea diagnostic centers use special recovery vessels with the residues of the contrast medium. The filled vessels are then collected and sent to Bayer's Bergkamen facility, where the iodine is recovered. The recovered iodine is given to resellers and can be used for many other purposes, but not for contrast agents/pharmaceuticals.    

Bayer

Administrative and allied healthcare professionals across the healthcare facilities, together with the Operations & Medical Department and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Department of Affidea Greece, comprising a total of 36 participants.

  Affidea Group Diagnostic Centers in the region of Attica. 

Already since the start of the programme until today, a total of 36L of residues of contrast media have been collected.

For radiologic technologists, medical imaging equipment operators and physicians involved in the diagnostic process on a daily basis, the re programme demonstrates that clinical excellence can go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, without compromising the quality or safety of patient care.

The initiative has strengthened environmental awareness among healthcare professionals by fostering a culture of responsible management of the materials used in diagnostic imaging procedures. At the same time, it has highlighted the important role of healthcare staff in advancing the principles of the circular economy, empowering them to become active contributors to an innovative and sustainable practice.

The programme encourages employee engagement in initiatives with a positive social and environmental impact, reinforces a shared sense of responsibility and pride, and demonstrates that even routine operational processes can make a meaningful contribution to the sustainable transformation of the healthcare sector.

Affidea is the first healthcare provider to implement this pioneering programme for the recycling of residual contrast media, aiming to reduce its environmental footprint, contribute to environmental protection, and raise employee awareness of sustainability issues.

Since the launch of the re programme in 2023, a total of 36 litres of residual contrast media have been collected. Without this initiative, these materials would have entered the healthcare waste stream or required specialised waste management procedures.

The collection and recycling of these residual materials provide tangible evidence that even small quantities of highly specialised substances can be recovered and reused within the framework of the circular economy. The programme contributes to reducing the environmental impact of healthcare services, promoting the responsible use of natural resources, and strengthening sustainable practices in the field of diagnostic imaging.

Furthermore, these results highlight the programme's potential to create long-term value. The systematic collection and recycling of iodine-containing residual contrast media can be scaled up, supporting the transition of the healthcare sector towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible operating model.