Staff uniform recycling at Hunter New England
Recycling HNELHD uniforms into green ceramic tiles for the new John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct.
About the project
HNELHD staff can recycle their old uniforms into green ceramic tiles, which will be used in the new John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct.
We have completed 4 collection drives across the local health district, with plans for more collections at other facilities.
Project details
Before placing an order for new uniforms, consider the waste hierarchy and follow the below principles:
- Reduce – avoid ordering new uniforms, only order if you need them.
- Reuse – Check if your department has a uniform pool. It is great for new starters, staff running low on supplies or staff who have changing needs. Discuss it with your team and/or department.
- Recycle – If your uniforms are beyond wear, do not send them to landfill. The Sustainability Project Team will run collection drives to send on to our recycling partner.
Frequently asked questions
Why should we recycle uniforms?
We have an ambitious sustainability strategy with a goal of zero waste to landfill by 2030.
The textile industry accounts for 10 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. In Australia 800,000 tonnes of textile waste is sent to landfill every year.
What will the uniforms be recycled into?
Our partner Noveco Surfaces will recycle the uniforms into ‘green ceramic’ tiles, which will be used in the new John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct.
What can be included in the collection box?
Any clean dry NSW Health uniforms (HNELHD and HealthShare), including:
- Scrubs (tops and bottoms)
- Polo shirts
- Button-up shirts
- Trousers, shorts and skits
- Knitwear (cardigans, jumpers, vests)
- Outerwear (jackets and vests).
What cannot be included in the collection box?
- Items that are not NSW Health uniforms
- Shoes, socks, underwear, hats, and belts
- General clothing should never be sent to landfill. There are several community-led textile recycling programs available.
Can I take part even though my workplace is not hosting a collection?
There are plans to roll out staged uniform recycling collection drives across the district so that all staff can take part in this program.
For now, all staff can send in their old uniforms via internal mail to:
The Sustainability Office
District Headquarters
Rankin Park Campus