The Victoria-based private healthcare provider has recycled almost 30 tonnes of food waste, medical PVC, and employee uniforms in the past year, producing electricity, garden hoses, and stuffing for exercise equipment.
The group’s flagship Richmond hospital is halfway through a three-year trial, gathering food offcuts from its kitchen and dehydrating them in a WasteMaster machine to create a powdered residue.
Textile Recyclers Australia removes the buttons and zips before the clothes are shredded and turned into carpet underlay, stuffing for gym equipment, blankets, and rugs.
In the first 12 months, more than 20 tonnes of food offcuts and waste was used to generate enough electricity to power 1,512 homes for a day.
Nicole Waldron, the group’s Chief Operations Officer – Hospitals, said, “Becoming more sustainable is a priority for Epworth. We must protect the environment and ensures resources are used responsibly.
The WasteMaster trial means 72 percent of food waste was dehydrated and turned into electricity, diverting 20 tonnes of waste from landfill.”
The volume of PVC it has put through the Baxter Healthcare and Vinyl Council of Victoria PVC Recycling Program is enough to produce 56 kilometers of garden hose, or 2,788 children’s play mats – the equivalent of 10 playgrounds.
