Renewable products for tomorrow´s hospital environments

Important results from the project

The regions of Halland and West Gothia have expressed the need to reduce their environmental impact and to drive the development towards sustainability where resources management is indicative - needs that are shared with other regions. A transition to renewable material is one constituent in this work. This project aims to engage, concretise and demonstrate this challenge by bringing out products that fulfils these needs. The goal is to bring out design, function and business models for at least two products in bio based material, that in an excellent way meets real needs in health care.

Expected long term effects

Four different products was assessed as suitable: food tray, tooth brush, chair for the psychiatry and barf bag. Food tray and barf bag were developed so far that talks have started with companies concerning production and market introduction. The food tray was the product that was developed the furthest, and that at five different moments and locations, was tested in real environments. In the last test the comment from the staff was that they did not have any comments on the tested product, since it was like any other food tray. Food tray and barf bag is expected to be introduced on the market.

Approach and implementation

Thanks to a series of workshops at the hospitals in West Gothia and Halland, the staff was engaged in bringing out suitable products to develop in renewable material. In the psychiatry a consultant was hired, specialised in industrial design. Suitable products where chosen and prototypes in renewable material was developed and tested. During the process some products were removed. Products were tested in real environments at the hospitals. Students in the master´s program, with a high proportion of international students, at Halmstad university developed business models.

External links

Projektets hemsida.