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Actreen® self-catheters
Over the past 50 years, ecological awareness has increased; Apart from global warming the next pressing issue is ocean pollution.[1] And this is where you can act for tomorrow.
The concentration of plastic waste has led to the creation of a genuine 7th continent.[2] Unlike organic materials, plastic never “disappears” in nature but accumulates in the environment, particularly in the oceans.[3] Around 80 percent of marine waste comes from activity on land.[3] For example, a plastic bottle can take up to 450, a disposable diaper up to 500 years to be broken down into microscopic pieces.[4] So waste has become an element of our human food chain as microplastics over time have contaminated all compartments of marine ecosystems including seafood such as fish.[5]
Using on average five catheters per day is unavoidable for you: Intermittent catheters belong to your everyday routine and help you to make your life easier. However, after usage, it is nothing more than plastic waste. But, you can influence how much waste you produce. Even though catheters all look alike, there are slight variations which have an influence on our environment. It is your choice which catheter you use and with this choice you can make a difference because catheter models vary in
So it is up to you to decide on a catheter which is reliable and offers you the comfort you need. Discover with Actreen® a comfortable and easy-to-use catheterization[8] which can make your ecological footprint smaller.[9]
Actreen® is made of TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) which is a chemically resistant polymer and does not contain plasticizers. It has therefore fewer leachables and extractables than soft PVC.
Because TPO has a lower density than PVC, less material is needed to produce a catheter.[10] This leads to a reduction in overall material consumption and plastic waste.
Less material and fewer components are the key to easier recycling. In comparison to the selected main competitor products, Actreen® consists of fewer parts and the primary packaging does not contain aluminum or hard plastic, both of which are more complicated to recycle.[9] Dispose of your used catheter according to local regulations.
TPO consists solely of carbon and hydrogen. It neither contains chloride nor any other "halogen". When incinerated, the TPO plastic material that Actreen® is made of does not release toxic compounds into the air. The process is air pollution free.
One of the measurable distinctions between Actreen® and other intermittent catheters is your reduced bathroom waste. Due to its eco-design, the product’s volume is noticeably reduced. Find out how big this difference really is.
Waste calculator for intermittent catheters
Do you want to know how much waste you potentially produce with your catheter compared to Actreen®? The waste management calculator will help you to find out what it means to use Actreen® for you in the short-term and in the long run. Do the math here.
Start your calculationActreen® pouches
You are active and on the road a lot and you don’t want to think about the supply of catheters. Therefore you receive a free pouch with every package of Actreen® in which you can easily carry your catheters. Because wherever you go, you want to be prepared – anytime.
Now B. Braun has taken another step towards making Actreen® greener and created a new generation of pouches. In contrast to the previous ones, they are now made of paper with a special PVC-coating and designed to be used multiple times, even in a wet environment.[11]
So, we have been able to reduce the pouches PVC content significantly and keep the pouches durable – for every version:
The first product generation was developed in 2004 and has continually improved its ecological footprints.
Sustainability
Wherever possible and sensible, we reduce our consumption of resources and focus on alternative and regenerative concepts. As a future-oriented company, we consider the effects of all our business decisions in the environment and strive to improve our ecological balance sheet continuously. With the future generations on mind, we go the extra mile and exceed legal requirements. This also includes the ongoing review of our contributions to environmental protection.
Read more
It means that you can make your choice. Actreen® is more than just a convenient and reliable catheter: It can directly reduce your bathroom waste and helps to pollute the oceans less. It is up to you to step in the right direction.
All of this is possible because Actreen® is:
These advantages are good for you and good for the environment.
Let’s act now for tomorrow – with Actreen®!
[1] Wearden G.:More plastic than fish in the sea by 2050, says Ellen MacArthur. The Guardian. January 19, 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/19/more-plastic-than-fish-in-the-sea-by-2050-warns-ellen-macarthur. Accessed May 23, 2023.
[2] Ter Halle A., Perez E.: Plastic pollution at sea: the seventh continent, Encyclopedia of the Environment. February 7, 2019. [online ISSN 2555-0950] url :https://www.encyclopedie-environnement.org/en/water/plastic-pollution-at-sea-seventh-continent/. Accessed June 2, 2023
[3] National Geographic Society: Marine Pollution. May 20, 2022. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/marine-pollution. Accessed June 6, 2023.
[4] WWF Australia: The lifecycle of plastics. July 1, 2021. https://wwf.org.au/blogs/the-lifecycle-of-plastics. Accessed June 12, 2023
[5] Danopoulos E., Jenner L.C., Twiddy M., Rotchell J.M.: Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives 2020; 128(12): 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7171. Accessed June 19, 2023
[6] Groen J, Pannek J, Castro Diaz D, Del Popolo G, Gross T, Hamid R, Karsenty G, Kessler TM, Schneider M, 't Hoen L, Blok B.:Summary of European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines on Neuro-Urology. Eur Urol. February 2016; 69(2):324–33. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2015.07.071. Epub August 22, 2015. PMID: 26304502.
[7] Woodbury M.G., Hayes K.C., Askes H.K.: Intermittent catheterization practices following spinal cord injury: a national survey. Can J Urol. June 2008; 15(3):4065–71. PMID: 18570710.
[8] Rew M, Lake H..: A survey of short- and long-term pre-lubricated intermittent catheters. Br J Nurs. 2013 Oct 10-23;22(18):S12, S14-18. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2013.22.Sup18.S12. PMID: 24121768
[9] Bouton F.: Qualitative environmental comparison between: Actreen® Hi Lite & Mini ranges and the main European competitor catheters. EVEA fabrique de solutions durables. July 2020. www.evea-conseil.com.
[10] Wang X., Hu S., Gui Y., Li G., Xu R.: Toughened High-Flow Polypropylene with Polyolefin-Based Elastomers. PolymersPolymers 2019, 11, 1976; doi:10.3390/polym11121976
[11] Technical file B. Braun pouch: grammar of pvc per pouch. November 30, 2020
