Circular isolation gowns

The Circular isolation gowns initiative developed a sustainable reusable and circular alternative to today’s disposable medical gowns. The protective clothing for healthcare impacts on several fronts.

Production of the circular isolation gown has hardly any negative environmental impact. Moreover, local production, cleaning and maintenance contribute to regional activity. This also reduces dependence on global chains and increases security of supply – a key concern since Covid. The initiative thus addresses multiple issues surrounding isolation clothing in healthcare.

Results with circular isolation gowns

A consortium of organisations from all links in the chain has developed and successfully tested a reusable isolation gown made of organic cotton with a water-repellent finish. In the summer of 2023, OLVG, Reade and Cordaan started using these gowns. Read all about it in this news article.

Why circular isolation gowns?

The Dutch healthcare sector is responsible for nearly seven percent of national greenhouse gas emissions, a substantial portion of which is due to healthcare clothing. Every year, the healthcare sector in the Netherlands consumes about 15 million disposable plastic gowns. Taking into account the fast approaching ageing of the population and an expanding supply in healthcare services, the need for sustainability in the healthcare sector is growing.

Circular isolation gowns are expected to be washed and reused 80 times or more. They then return to the (hospital) textile chain via a ‘closed loop recycle’ method. This results in less waste of materials and cleaner production.