Weaving Challenges into Sustainable Uniforms
Care Process & Redesign
Environmental Sustainability
Singapore Healthcare Management Congress
SingHealth
11 February 2026
To reduce the environmental and health risks associated with polyester-viscose healthcare uniforms by implementing. The four-pronged solution exemplifies sustainability by reducing landfill waste, contributing to social causes, and optimizing cost.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 11 February 2026
Tags: Environmental Sustainability, Care Process ＆ Redesign, Recycling, Material Waste, Quality Improvement, Cost Saving, Productivity
About this Content
Aims
To reduce the environmental and health risks associated with polyester-viscose healthcare uniforms by implementing sustainable practices.
Background
Healthcare uniforms made from polyester-viscose blends pose significant environmental and health risks throughout their lifecycle, including contamination of global waters, adverse health effects from PFAS, and microplastic pollution.
Methods
Interventions included installing uniform upcycling bins, encouraging sustainable laundry practices, promoting mindful uniform consumption, and implementing a uniform repurposing program in collaboration with a social enterprise.
Results
From Feb 2024 to Feb 2025, 188kg of uniforms were collected for upcycling. Economic savings were estimated at $505,000 annually by extending uniform lifespan by 5 months. 55 kg of discarded uniforms were upcycled into everyday products, raising $233 for social causes.
Conclusion
The four-pronged solution exemplifies sustainability by reducing landfill waste, contributing to social causes, and optimizing cost savings through extended uniform lifespan.
Lessons Learnt
Simple, thoughtful solutions can create lasting value for organizations and the environment by addressing sustainability across the triple bottom line: Planet, People, and Profit.
Keywords
uniforms, sustainability, recycling, environmental impact, cost saving
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | SingHealth |
Platform(s) | Singapore Healthcare Management Congress |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Ancillary Care, Healthcare Administration |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Allied Health, Healthcare Administrators, Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy |
Project Lead(s) | Joanne Ngeow Yuen Yie |
Project Member(s) | Adele Woon Pei Ning |
Connect with this contributor!
Joanne Ngeow Yuen Yie - singaporehealthcaremanagement@singhealth.com.sg
Project Attachment
1111_NCCS_SHM_2025_Weaving_challenges_into_sustainable_uniforms.pdf