Catawba Valley Medical Center Begins Use of Compostable Medical Supplies

Innovative Charlotte Manufacturer Announces Hospital as its First Partnership

Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has announced a new partnership with Charlotte-based manufacturer Terraloam, a company that makes fully compostable medical supplies, including medical isolation gowns and patient belonging bags. CVMC is the first medical center to partner with Terraloam to implement these compostable and sustainable options.

Recently, CVMC transitioned to the new compostable options to produce less waste and move toward more sustainable disposal processes for single-use medical supplies. This transition will reduce CVMC’s carbon emissions, as well as more than 580,000 pounds of waste per year.

Following disposal, the new compostable isolation gowns, or “BioGown,” are taken to a processing facility where they are made into an enriched soil within three to four months. The enriched soil will then be donated to community gardens located throughout Catawba County. Currently, Terraloam has partnered with eight community gardens throughout the Hickory area, with goals to expand.

The patient belonging bags, or “BioBaggy,” which are given to each patient when admitted to the hospital, can be composted as well. Patients can now drop off these bags at the designated compost bins located at the SALT Block in Hickory or be composted at home using a compost tumbler.

“Isolation gowns alone at Catawba Valley Medical Center account for up to 10,000 pounds of waste per year, and we are going to take that kind of waste and turn it into fully compostable soil,” said Jonathan Munich, co-founder of Terraloam. “We will be able to use the soil at local community gardens, covering 1.5 acres of land with the soil produced from the compostable medical supplies.”

“This is a major step towards achieving sustainability and is part of CVMC’s ongoing efforts to close the waste cycle,” said Patrick Broos, director of supply chain management for Catawba Valley Health System. “By composting these materials, we not only divert waste from our landfills but also help create nutrient-rich soil for the community gardens in our area.”

He added, “CVMC values our patients, our community, and our world. By using these new medical products, we work in conjunction with our community and staff toward a more sustainable community. By making the switch, we are doing our part to reduce waste and help the environment.”

To learn more about Terraloam and its mission to turn waste into sustainable products, visit Terraloam.com.