Finalist: Environmental Sustainability Award
In September 2023, Sustainability champions across John Hunter Hospital and Rankin Park Centre hosted a uniform collection drive where staff had the opportunity to donate their old uniforms to a recycling initiative.
There was an overwhelming response with 1,537 uniform items collected in four weeks.
The old uniforms will be recycled into green ceramic tiles using a special process developed by the University of New South Wales. This technology converts textile and glass waste into eco-friendly building materials. Each square metre of tile contains 25 kg of recycled fabric.
Since the first drive, there have been four more collection events at other health facilities in the Hunter New England Local Health District. So far, over seven tonnes of uniforms have been diverted from landfills.
Due to the positive response, these green ceramic tiles will be used across multiple infrastructure projects within the district, serving as a visual reminder of this successful circular initiative.
Meet the other finalists for the Environmental Sustainability Award.
