Community
5 June, 2026
New biowaste management thanks to generosity
CAMPERDOWN Hospital will be able to save the environment and funding thanks to the installation of a new fluid waste diverter, just in time for World Environment Day.
The Serres Nemo unit flushes fluid-suction waste generated during theatre procedures directly into the wastewater network.
Prior to this installation, full-suction waste bags had to be disposed of directly into clinical waste bins.
The unit works by emptying Serres Suction bags into the unit, with only the empty bags taken to be incinerated.
The theatre team at Camperdown estimates at least 1000 litres of fluid waste annually will now be treated within the wastewater system rather than being transported and processed with energy intensive treatment, before ending up in landfill.
Additionally, risks of unwanted spills and exposure to biohazardous material will be minimised.
The Serres Nemo unit was introduced into Australia in 2020.
South West Healthcare (SWH) installed one in its Warrnambool Base Hospital theatres in 2023.
SWH environmental sustainability officer Elvira Hewson said donors generously funded the purchase of both Warrnambool’s and Camperdown’s Serres Nemo units.
“We can’t wait to see the impact this initiative will have on diverting volumes of clinical waste from landfill,” she said.
Camperdown Hospital and aged care services director Abhinay Dolar said the Serres Nemo unit was a great product for the hospital.
“It’s part of our environmental sustainability project,” he said.
“It helps to reduce waste and, as a hospital and an organisation, we’re doing our bit to help the environment.”
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