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.
Our theatre team estimates at least 1,000 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. We installed one in our Warrnambool Base Hospital theatres in 2023. Donors generously funded the purchase of both Warrnambool’s and Camperdown’s.
‘We can’t wait to see the impact this initiative will have on diverting volumes of clinical waste from landfill,’ says SWH environmental sustainability officer Elvira Hewson.
PHOTO: Standing alongside our Camperdown Nemo is theatre nurse unit manager Nikki Delaney, sustainability committee member Lisa Gavin and campus manager Abhi Dolar.
Page last updated: 4 June 2026
