Industree Group acts on PPE waste management

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturer Industree Group has launched Epicycle, a pioneering recycling programme designed to combat the growing menace of PPE waste at worksites.

In collaboration with recycling innovator TerraCycle, the programme is built around custom-designed recycling boxes (pictured), tailored for safety glasses, safety gloves, and disposable respirators.

TerraCycle ANZ General Manager Jean Bailliard said: “PPE has traditionally been considered a hard-to-recycle waste stream because it consists of different kinds of complex, composite materials including hard and soft plastics, leather, and fabrics.

“For this reason, we are proud to join forces with Industree Group to provide a recycling solution for a waste stream which often ends up in landfill.

“This initiative is a significant stride towards minimising PPE waste and accelerating the transition to a Zero-waste economy in Australia.”

Epicycle transforms PPE waste into new, useful life materials, preventing it from ending up in landfills or our oceans.

Industree Group CEO Jon Fleming said: “Sustainability isn’t just good for the environment – it’s the key to a brighter future.

“By curbing our environmental impact, we’re paving the way for a better tomorrow. Our commitment to sustainability is a genuine investment in a thriving future.”

In the wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a concerning rise in PPE waste worldwide, with millions of tonnes finding their way into landfills or oceans annually, amplifying pollution and environmental degradation.

Picture: Industree Group