RECYCLE FOR CHANGE

At The GreenBench Project, our mission is to transform discarded Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) into innovative and practical end products that benefit communities and protect the environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in global history. During its peak, an estimated 4 billion face masks were used each day worldwide. While usage has decreased, hospitals remain major users of disposable PPE—most of which is made from woven polypropylene, a plastic that can take up to 450 years to break down in the environment.

 

We launched the GreenBench Project in 2023 with a simple but powerful idea: recycle surgical masks into park benches. In 2024, our efforts expanded when the BC Provincial Government introduced a province-wide PPE recycling initiative. Our project became part of this larger effort at Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Williams Lake, BC.

By January 2025, CMH had recycled over 2 tons of PPE. Today, we’re proud to work with Vitacore Industries Inc. in Vancouver, who processes the PPE into durable 2x2” construction materials. These recycled materials are being integrated into the construction of CMH’s new tower and the renovation of the existing facility.

Looking ahead, we're collaborating with Graham Construction LTD (for CMH Redevelopment project in particular) and engaging local high school students in smaller community initiatives. Our goal is to repurpose this recycled material into fences, flower planters, benches, decking, railings, tables, chairs, and more.
 

Through strong community involvement, we aim to scale this initiative and raise funds to support key needs—such as staff incentive programs to boost recycling efforts, maintaining our website and funding tools that bring the community closer to their new hospital. Your support matters.
By joining us, you're not just backing a local project—you’re helping inspire similar initiatives across British Columbia and Canada, keeping our environment clean and sustainable for generations to come.