Recycling of polyester textiles
This project aims to reduce NHS Scotland’s waste by investigating the feasibility of recycling 100% polyester textiles into new products, reducing reliance on virgin materials and promoting sustainability.
About the Project
We are exploring opportunities to reduce waste in NHS Scotland by focusing on 100% polyester textiles. Single-use products made from virgin materials contribute significantly to waste, but we see the potential to recycle these materials into sustainable alternatives.
Our goal is to identify polyester-based products, assess the feasibility of collecting and recycling them, and explore innovative ways to transform this waste into reusable resources. By working with Project Plan B, a company with a cutting-edge facility for thermally recycling polyester into pellets for new products, we aim to unlock practical solutions for reducing waste.
We are addressing challenges such as contamination in the waste stream and exploring methods to manage it effectively. Through this work, we aim to demonstrate how fibre-to-fibre recycling can help NHS Scotland reduce reliance on virgin materials and move towards more sustainable practices.
Beyond the environmental benefits, this initiative could inspire a positive shift in how resource management is perceived by NHS staff and the public.
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