ABOUT US
Ecodefend was started by a registered nurse from Hobart. . .
Following a one-hour nurse’s shift on a children’s COVID-19 ward, that used 10 single-use masks, 10 single-use gowns, 10 single-use pairs of gloves, an idea was born.
It was 2020, and Kaitlyn Cooke, was taking care of a tiny baby who was distressed and needed constant comfort because no parents were allowed on the wards during the pandemic.
Each time Kaitlyn reentered the child’s room, hospital rules meant she had to use a fresh set of PPE, all heading to landfill after their short use. She couldn’t believe how much waste one tiny patient used.
Yes, the pandemic created unusual times, but Kaitlyn realised that healthcare wasn’t that much greener before COVID struck? So she asked the question, “Why isn’t environmentally friendlier equipment the norm in our industry yet?”
The answer was because no one had created it yet… So, Kaitlyn decided to do it herself!
Having worked as a healthcare professional, she knew how the the face mask wearer – a busy healthcare professional – would want the masks to perform like, and she studied to become an expert in medical and product design to ensure they hit the technical and medical standards required too.
Since producing the mask, Kaitlyn has become an expert in all-things waste management too. And she can’t wait to create more products in the Ecodefend line.
OUR TEAM
Kaitlyn Cooke
Founder | Head of Product Development
Kaitlyn is the founder and head of all things product design. Having worked as a healthcare professional, she knows the technical detail of what the masks require and how to make them most comfortable for the wearer. Kaitlyn loves working with materials and also with waste companies to find the best way to manufacture and dispose of our products.
Trevor Oldfield AM KSJ JP
Chairperson
Having spent most of his life in Western Sydney, Trevor has acquired a significant depth of knowledge which enables him to identify many needs within the Community with genuine care and compassion. He has enjoyed working with a diverse range of community and charitable organisations, such as the State Emergency Services from age 14, Kids West Children’s Charity, The Millennium Foundation Westmead, Variety, Ronald MacDonald House and the Blacktown City Lions Club.
In 2006 Trevor was awarded the Order of Australia for Community Service and also awarded the Government of NSW Premier Award for Community Service. In 2014 he was granted membership as a Knight in the Order of St John of Jerusalem Knights Hospitaller,
Having more than 35 years’ experience within the philanthropic Community as a company Director and holding various roles within Senior Management, Trevor has acquired a wonderfully diverse amount of experience. Trevor has a Certificate IV in Financial and Credit Management and Diploma’s in Business Management and Human Resources.
Trevor currently holds the position of Chairman of Ecodefend, Executive Director of Kids West Children’s Charity, President of the Greater Blacktown Business Chamber and President of NBC Sports Club.
OUR VISION AND MISSION
VISION
We’re pioneering a shift in global healthcare – where both human health and the health of our planet are protected.
MISSION
Championing global change, we will create revolutionary solutions and drive widespread policy reform and education to redefine healthcare’s ecological imprint. We will establish ourselves as trailblazers in the field to propel healthcare into a new era of sustainability.