"Destruction of orthopaedic equipment"

I had a midfoot infusion in late 2017, and had loans of a wheelchair and other appliances from my local hospital whilst non weight bearing. As a hip replacement patient I was extra limited in what I could do. Once it started healing I was given an aircast boot - metal frame and sole, with fabric and velcro tapes,

My job involves me in working with staff and students on an occupational therapy course, Sometimes students have placements in Vietnam, often meeting landmine victims. I mentioned I had a boot that might not be returnable, and had it not been for restrictive luggage allowances they might have been able to rehome it to a hospital abroad, I felt sad there was no way staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital could accept it back for reuse or refurbishment, I understand infection control, but might have thought the frame could have been reused, even if the cloth and velcro elements could not, Im frustrated that it could not have been recycled, and put that with the crutches my husband rescued from being skipped at local waste disposal, despite hospital stickers on them asking for return, it seems this is a huge waste of potentially reusable resources.