ECO-Gauzes

Product that seeks to reduce the water-carbon footprint in the manufacture of gauze and surgical dressings by replacing cotton with pineapple fiber as raw material.

The excessive production of goods and services deteriorates our environment and depletes natural resources essential for the sustainability of the planet. Through this project, we offer a sustainable alternative for the healthcare industry. Among the most used supplies in the health sector are disposable surgical gauze and compresses, whose raw material, cotton, is one of the most polluting materials. Therefore, by replacing this material with pineapple fiber, the water and carbon footprint is reduced. Pineapple fiber, because of its absorbent and antibacterial properties, has relevant characteristics for the production of a medical-surgical compress. 

To obtain this input, we turn to pineapple producers, which in Colombia, may be from areas of armed conflict or even from communities of ex-guerrilla fighters whose objective is to contribute to peace through agriculture. By buying the leftover leaves of the Comosus (pineapple plant) we contribute economically to these communities. Afterwards, the leaves are defibrated to obtain the pineapple fiber, which will follow the process of manufacturing a common gauze, intertwining the threads, generating the sterilization process and packaging.

The main problem with traditional sanitary napkins and gauze lies in the high degree of contamination of cotton, the water footprint of these products is excessively high, estimated at 10,000 liters per kilo of cotton produced. In addition, they take an average of 200 to 300 years to degrade due to the high polyethylene content and contaminate approximately 50 billion cubic meters of water.

In the case of Colombia, it was decided to calculate the water and carbon footprint of one of the most important hospitals in the country, the Méderi University Hospital. It is estimated that 16,000 surgical dressings are used monthly in this hospital, which helps us to calculate the water and carbon footprint of this medical center. Approximately the estimated water footprint of these supplies in the hospital is 10,400,000 L and its carbon footprint is 16 tons of CO2. This pollution in the medium- and long-term will affect the health of individuals in the community and its own ecosystem.

The solution contributes to improving the sustainability of the planet and its viability by reducing the carbon footprint and water footprint, reducing pollution and the diseases caused by it, improving the quality of life of individuals in the community. 

Additionally, it generates an economic benefit for the farming families who, by selling a waste product, the leaves of the Anana Comosus (pineapple plant), generate additional income. In addition, the producers of gauze and surgical dressings will obtain an economic benefit by reducing the cost of their raw material, since the kilo of pineapple fiber is 30% cheaper than cotton, and this cost reduction will be evidenced by the final consumer, the health sector.

The solution was born from talking to several people belonging to the health sector, who show a significant concern regarding the contamination generated by the different hospital activities. Accordingly, we conducted the aforementioned study at the Méderi Hospital to determine the degree of contamination of this product. Subsequently, the respective research was carried out to find a fiber that met the criteria and characteristics similar to cotton.

Additionally, it became evident that many of the country's farmers do not have enough income to escape from poverty, and it is even more difficult for the agricultural communities of former guerrillas, due to the stigma of certain people towards them and their past. Therefore, by generating this solution, they are contributing to generate an additional income.

We are in the concept stage since we do not yet have a physical prototype of the final product, only the main idea and product feasibility research. We have not yet incorporated any company since we are in the initial stage of the project.

Our project seeks the creation of a new biomaterial that fulfills the same functionality of the traditional gauze or compress and additionally reduces its negative impact on the environment. 

Our solution directly helps to generate more income for Colombian farmers, in addition to helping former guerrillas who seek to establish a path to peace through agriculture.