Extended-Use Gown PPE

Background:

There is currently a staggering amount of single-use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in hospital, aged and residential care facilities, allied health services, and other healthcare facilities across Australia, resulting in a significant environmental burden.

There is also little to no domestic production of single-use PPE, the effects of which were highlighted during the pandemic where critical PPE supply was subject to any weaknesses in the global supply chain. The reliance on overseas sources for PPE brings to light the vulnerability and potential disruptions in the supply chain.

Photos of Gown PPE Testing at Western Health

Project:

This project, funded by the Circular Economy Innovation Fund, delivered by Sustainability Victoria, and carried out in collaboration with Western Health and Full Circle Fibres, aims to extend the use of disposable medical gowns through the application of a coating to extend their usability in clinical settings, reducing the number of gowns healthcare workers require down from 20 to 4-5 gowns per shift, and minimising the volume of waste ending in landfill  after shredding and sanitisation or incinerators.

With this solution, procurement, use, and waste can be reduced by at least 20%. This project will aim to reduce waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and extend the lifespan of the gowns which will enable procuring fewer gowns, using less gowns and eventually recycling used gowns.

Progress:

Results from ongoing microbial testing trials have suggested a viable coating that has the potential to extend the use of single-use gowns.

These coated gowns have been produced, and the team are currently preparing for data analysis, where they will be trialling recycling at Western Health, finalising the cost and environmental Life Cycle Assessments, and the business case for the project.

This work was completed under the project A Novel, Extended-Use Infection Protection Gown Contract ID – C-12425 supported by the Circular Economy Innovation Fund, delivered by Sustainability Victoria under the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy.