Nurses at Orlando, Fla.-based Dr. P. Phillips Hospital are repurposing previously discarded surgical wraps into sleeping bags for the homeless, according to the Windermere Observer.
With the hospital’s permission, Tracie Craddock, RN, decided to recycle the one-time use wraps and sew them together to create sleeping mats or bags. Now, the hospital collects not only its own wraps, but up to 125 discarded wraps daily from outside vendors, as well.
Each sleeping bag is made from eight wraps, double stacked to create cushion. The wraps are durable, retain heat and are water resistant. The nurses also make pillows with each bag, made from smaller wraps and stuffed with other wrappers. Each bag assembly requires two people — one guiding the wrap and one sewing.
So far, 14 sleeping bags have been assembled and sewn. The Florida nurses said they hope to meet monthly to put the sleeping bags and pillows together. Hospitals in at least eight other states have followed suit, asking Dr. P Phillips Hospital nurses for directions to make the sleeping bags.