AFFIDEA

Affidea Greece consistently undertakes initiatives to balance economic growth through its nationwide network with the need to protect the environment. Its goal is to reduce the ecological footprint by integrating best practices of sustainable development into its strategic planning and operations.

The main objective of the re:contrast initiative is to promote the recycling of contrast media residues, focusing on the recovery and reuse of iodine in order to reduce the environmental impact of the harmful substances they contain.

Additionally, the initiative aims to raise awareness among both healthcare professionals and the general public about the importance of sustainable management of this waste, strengthening environmental responsibility and protecting the planet for future generations.

The ultimate goal is to reduce dependence on new iodine sources through its circular use and to create positive environmental changes through innovative and responsible practices.

The re:contrast program is aimed at two main audiences:

• Healthcare professionals – Including doctors, radiology technologists, and other medical staff who use contrast media in their daily clinical practice. The program seeks to inform and actively engage them in the proper handling and recycling of contrast media residues, promoting environmental responsibility within the healthcare sector.
• General public / Citizens – The program also targets patients and visitors of diagnostic centers, aiming to raise awareness about the environmental impact of medical waste and the importance of sustainable management. Through education, it fosters a culture of environmental responsibility beyond the clinical setting.

Overall, the program promotes a culture of sustainability, both within the medical community and in society at large.

From 2023 until today.

Affidea and Bayer are launching the innovative re:contrast program in Greece, aimed at recycling leftover contrast media. This pioneering initiative focuses on the recycling of iodine residues from contrast agents used in CT scans and is being implemented for the first time in Greece by Affidea diagnostic centers, in collaboration with Bayer.

At Affidea diagnostic centers, special collection containers are used to recover the residual contrast media. Once full, these containers are collected and sent to Bayer's facilities in Bergkamen, where the iodine is extracted. The recovered iodine is then provided to resellers and can be used in various other applications — though not in contrast agents or pharmaceutical products.

Bayer is a global organization operating in the Life Sciences sector, specifically in the fields of Health and Agriculture. Its products and services are designed with the well-being of people and the planet in mind, supporting humanity’s efforts to tackle major challenges such as a growing and aging population.

Bayer is also committed to sustainable development and to creating a positive impact through all its activities. At the same time, the company aims to generate value through innovation, growth, and high performance.

For more information, visit www.bayer.com, and for Bayer Hellas, visit www.bayer.gr

Administrative and paramedical staff of the units and the Corporate Social Responsibility department of Affidea Greece (50 people).

Affidea Greece Diagnostic Centers in the region of Attica.  

Since the launch of the program, a total of 18 liters of contrast media residues have already been collected. Through the re:contrast initiative, Affidea Greece demonstrates how sustainable practices can lead exclusively to positive change.

This innovative initiative aims to introduce a new method of recovering and reusing iodine residues, thereby reducing dependence on newly sourced materials. By proactively addressing environmental concerns, the re:contrast program not only helps preserve valuable natural elements, but also significantly reduces the release of harmful substances into the environment.

This program sets a new standard for responsible practices and the implementation of a sustainable solution, contributing to the legacy of a better planet for future generations.

For the Affidea Group, sustainability is a key commitment. Affidea is the first healthcare company to implement this pioneering program for recycling contrast media residues, aiming to reduce its ecological footprint, contribute to environmental protection, and raise public awareness on sustainability issues.

Through the re:contrast initiative, Affidea reinforces its dedication to environmental protection: the program minimizes the need for newly sourced iodine by reducing both its extraction and its presence in wastewater — since, through recovery and reuse, iodine is prevented from being released into the water system.

To date, a total of 18 liters of contrast media residues have been collected through the implementation of the re:contrast program across Affidea’s diagnostic centers, further underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable and responsible practices.