D I RECT IO N S CANADA
GOVERNMENT RECYCLING PROGRAMS IN CANADA Written by: LINDA NORTON, B.SC.OT, M.SC.CH, PH.D., OT REG. (ONT); MICHELLE HARVEY, BSC HONS OT; JASON KELLN, ATP/CRTS®; DON CLARKSON and MIKE LONGO
Recycling is often explored by funding agencies as a way of attempting to reduce costs and to prevent equipment from being thrown out before the end of its useful lifespan. In Canada, mobility device government funding programs differ between provinces, some of which include a recycling component. The intent of this article is to provide an overview of several government programs that include recycling mobility devices as a component and to describe several different approaches to recycling. A brief description of each program, eligibility criteria and key features has been provided along with links to additional resources
BRITISH COLUMBIA MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROVISION PROGRAM (MEPP) http://vchdesign.ca/mepp/index.html https://hrsurveys.vch.ca/ViewContent.aspx?contentID=1107 Funded through the Vancouver Coastal, Fraser Health and Vancouver Island Health Authorities, MEPP is a formal equipment rental program for clients who need equipment at home and have no other source of funding. The available equipment includes wheelchairs, hospital beds, floor lifts, overhead lifts, bathroom safety and other durable medical equipment. The intention of the program is to ensure that access to equipment is not a barrier to discharge home and enables the client to remain safe at home. Recycling occurs through the Canadian Red Cross and approved vendors such as HMEBC, NSM and BC Mediquip. This program is in its infancy, but speed of delivery is key allowing for faster discharges from hospitals. During the installation of lifts and floor to ceiling poles, a clinician is required to be present. CHILDREN’S MEDICAL EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION SERVICE (CMEDS) https://find.healthlinkbc.ca/ResourceView2. aspx?org=53965&agencynum=17666957 www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/family-and-social-supports/children-teenswith-special-needs/at_home_program_guide.pdf www.hmebc.com/corporate-programs/cmeds/cmeds-program/
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Funded by the British Colombia Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) through the At Home Program, the CMEDS is a pediatric equipment recycling pool. Established in 2017, the CMEDS recycles manual and tilt wheelchairs, power chairs, hospital beds, mobility equipment (such as walkers and standers), patient lifts, bathroom safety equipment, slings, therapy positioning devices and biomedical equipment. This provincial program is available to families with children, under the age of 18, who qualify for the At Home Program. An online resource center has been developed to assist families and clients with information on the program. A vendor, HMEBC recycles the equipment. Key to the success of this program is to only keep product within the pool that is within the product liability guidelines to ensure the safety of the equipment. Some products such as transport vests, car seats, etc., cannot be recycled to the Canadian Safety standards, and are therefore not part of the recycling program. Custom products or products with various foams and certain material are tricky to recycle and require a wheelchair washer, as well as industrial steam and heat cleaners to prevent infection.
ALBERTA ALBERTA AIDS TO DAILY LIVING (AADL) PROGRAM www.alberta.ca/aadl-program-manual-and-product-lists. aspx Funded through the Alberta government, the AADL program was established to assist Alberta residents with a long-term disability, chronic illness or terminal illness to maintain independence in their community by providing basic mobility devices. Clients must accept a recycled manual or power wheelchair if there is one available in the pool. Although seating is included in AADL benefits, seating is not recycled. AADL contracts with mobility device vendors to recycle the equipment. The AADL recycle pool is stored at various vendors
