REmedi | Reusable medical packaging living lab

Enabling circular packaging systems in healthcare

Single-use packaging dominates the transport of clinical samples, generating large amounts of waste. The REmedi project explores how reusable packaging systems can be implemented in healthcare. Through a living lab approach, the project develops, tests and validates solutions that ensure safety, quality and efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
 

Target group

The project is relevant for organisations involved in medical packaging and logistics:

• Design agencies
• Hospitals and laboratories
• Logistics providers
• R&D teams of medical manufacturers

Context

Clinical samples, such as blood or urine, are shipped between hospitals and laboratories using disposable materials. After sampling, new layers of plastic, boxes and protective materials are added for return transport, often with extra packaging “for safety”.

All this results in large volumes of waste. For example, Cerba Research, a service provider for laboratories in Ghent, dispatched exactly 49,901 kits between January and June 2025. This resulted in more than 10 tonnes of packaging waste.

At the same time, the healthcare sector faces strict requirements for safety, hygiene and traceability. This makes the transition to reusable systems complex and requires coordinated action across the entire value chain.
 

Objectives & results

REmedi aims to demonstrate that reusable packaging for clinical samples is feasible while maintaining quality, safety and operational efficiency.

The project focuses on:

• Designing reusable packaging that ensures protection, hygiene and contamination prevention
• Enabling safe storage under different conditions
• Improving logistics through traceability and optimised handling
• Mapping the full value chain of clinical sample flows
• Developing and testing reusable packaging concepts in real conditions

Key results:

• A validated reusable packaging solution made of durable materials
• Packaging design ensuring leak-tightness and shock resistance
• Optimised volume for both empty and filled samples 
• A digital system enabling traceability and process optimization
• Insights into operational, environmental and economic benefits

Valorisation

A practical toolkit supporting the transition to reusable packaging systems in healthcare, built on REmedi results and previous experiences in the healthcare sector.

It includes:

• Step-by-step guidance to redesign packaging systems
• Tools, templates and real-life examples
• Support for implementation, including pitfalls and strategies
• Focus on quality assurance and regulatory constraints

Approach

The project follows a living lab approach, combining experimentation, co-creation and validation:

Value chain analysis

• Mapping clinical sample flows and identifying key stakeholders
• Analysing operational constraints and requirements

Design and development

• Designing reusable packaging concepts
• Selecting materials and defining performance requirements

Testing and validation

• Testing packaging in real-life conditions
• Evaluating safety, hygiene and performance

Digital integration and logistics optimisation

• Developing traceability systems
• Improving logistics processes and data management

This approach ensures practical, validated solutions aligned with real healthcare needs.
 

Funding

• Funding agency: VLAIO
• Project type: Living Labs Circular Economy