Representatives from GV Health, Cleanaway Daniels and Replas tested out the recycled “Blue Bench”.
Thousands of kilograms of hospital waste is being diverted from landfill each year by GV Health and transformed into sustainable commercial and household products.
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Currently situated at the Shepparton hospital’s main entrance, the ‘Blue Bench’ is a sturdy example of what can be made from the hospital’s recycled sterilisation wrap used in theatre, plastic kidney dishes, curtains and patient gowns.
GV Health divisional operations director Anna McPhillamy said it was a great initiative, demonstrating the hospital’s commitment to being a responsible workplace.
“Seeing the quality of functional products able to be produced from hospital waste is inspiring,” she said.
The collaboration between GV Health, Cleanaway Daniels and Replas, the Ballarat company transforming recycled material into household and commercial goods, started a year ago, though recycling hospital waste into functional, sustainable products takes a fraction of the time.
Replas managing director Travis Brown said the Blue Bench demonstrated how quickly waste could be repurposed.
“It took us two weeks to make this bench,” he said.
After 15 years in the business, Travis said they had developed a recycling technique free from chemicals.
“Heat, pressure and trial and error are the only elements we use to create our products,” he said.
The partnership between all stakeholders is a “cradle to grave” waste management initiative, providing an essential service and solution for non-biodegradable items.
Nurse unit manager – theatre services Andrea Stevens said the Blue Bench was visual evidence of everything being kept out of landfill.
The hospital-led recycling program is now supported by health services across Victoria, with recyclable materials also being sourced from NSW — demonstrating the model’s potential at scale.
The Blue Bench is a stylish example of what can be made from the hospital’s recycled products.
Photo by
pasinclair
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