Wollongong Hospital recycling initiative reduces aluminium waste

During National Recycling Week, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is being celebrated for leading an innovative circular recycling program, which is transforming surgical waste materials into reusable aluminium.

The pilot program launched in July at Wollongong Hospital and is a partnership between ISLHD, suture manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, industry specialists Medcycle and Weston Aluminium and BlueScope Steel.

The initiative is helping to divert hospital waste from landfill by repurposing suture wrappers into high quality reusable aluminium for reuse in Illawarra’s local steel production.

As part of the program, theatre staff collect the aluminium wrappers, which are sent to Sydney-based company Medcycle for sorting and preparation. The material is then recycled by Hunter Valley’s Weston Aluminium into “pucks”, which are supplied to BlueScope Steel for use in steel manufacturing.

Plans are now underway to expand the scheme across ISLHD and, eventually, statewide. Once completely rolled out, the initiative is expected to divert more than 100,000 individual waste suture wrappers from ISLHD from landfill each year.

The program has helped to strengthen local industry connections, supports regional jobs and highlights how health, manufacturing and recycling sectors can work together to achieve shared sustainability goals.

The initiative is led by the ISLHD Surgery Hub of NSW Health’s Net Zero Hubs program, where multidisciplinary teams aim to reduce emissions across key areas such as surgery, intensive care, and anaesthetics.

Quotes attributable to Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Medical Co-Director Surgery Dr Soni Putnis

“Surgical procedures generate significant waste and it is important that we find better ways to avoid or manage it. This recycling program is a practical step toward reducing that impact.

“This full circle of recycling and returning aluminium from Wollongong Hospital to our local area is the result of collaboration. It’s a great example of how hospital waste can be repurposed instead of going to landfill.

“This partnership demonstrates that even small items, like suture wrappers, can make a big difference when we think locally and act sustainably.’’