Environmental friendly Disposable Gloves?

[matc]

Hey Everyone,

I am just wondering whether anyone has found a disposable glove that isn't as bad for the environment as the usual nitrile/latex gloves? Has anyone come up with a suitable alternative for the kids to wear when doing pracs? I'm at the point where I need to order gloves, and just thinking of all those gloves sitting in landfill doesn't sit right with me, im hoping by now there may be a better solution that is still safe for the science lab and arent crazy expensive?

Thanks
Mat

[Marama T]

Oh I feel you pain! We have some polyethylene gloves that were recyclable when REDcycle was functioning (if they were cleaned and dried), but I know of no environmentally friendly option at the moment. I actively discourage unnecessary glove use. We all need to talk to our suppliers and get them thinking. Imagine if someone did come up with a good compostable glove - they'd sell billions.

[matc]

Oh I feel you pain! We have some polyethylene gloves that were recyclable when REDcycle was functioning (if they were cleaned and dried), but I know of no environmentally friendly option at the moment. I actively discourage unnecessary glove use. We all need to talk to our suppliers and get them thinking. Imagine if someone did come up with a good compostable glove - they'd sell billions.

Maybe we should all be quitting our lab assistant jobs and get working on it! Between us all we should be able to come up with something.

[Marama T]

YES!!!

[bindibadgi]

Happily there are a bunch of companies that make them.

Think I'll order a box or two to try out, & if they're good start replacing my stock

https://australianorganicproducts.com.a ... ble-gloves

https://glovesnow.com/shop/bioglove-nit ... bIQAvD_BwE

https://www.biogone.com.au/product-category/gloves/

[matc]

Happily there are a bunch of companies that make them.

Think I'll order a box or two to try out, & if they're good start replacing my stock

https://australianorganicproducts.com.a ... ble-gloves

https://glovesnow.com/shop/bioglove-nit ... bIQAvD_BwE

https://www.biogone.com.au/product-category/gloves/

Thank you for that! Let me know how they go if you end up ordering some, I ended up just buying a couple of boxes of normal nitrile ones as i had to get some asap. But will definately keep these in mind for next time

[Merilyn1]

Had a look - keep in mind that the first ones, Australian Organics are food handling gloves, don't appear to be chemical resistant (unless I missed something).
Second ones, they say they break down rapidly but what to? Microplastic??
Third ones look good, they say break down into organic matter although the price is high. Always keep in mind that organic matter breaking down in land fill produces methane.
I really don't think we yet have a good sustainable option.

[Marama T]

Oh brilliant! I guess I should have consulted Google - I searched for biodegradable gloves a few years ago, but didn't find anything. I will definitely be checking this out. Thanks for the info, bindibadgi.

[Marama T]

Well, look what I found!
https://glovesnow.com/guide-to-disposab ... le-gloves/
Are Nitrile Disposable Gloves Recyclable?
Yes, Nitrile Disposable Gloves are recyclable in Australia. They can be recycled, however they need to go in a special separate recycling bin, as opposed to your standard recycling bin.
TerraCycle is a company that provides specialist disposable glove recycling boxes. You can buy them online, or from Australia Post, then simply fill the box with your used disposable nitrile, vinyl or latex gloves. Then you simply ship the box to the collection address, and shipping is already included in the price of the box!

[Merilyn1]

Well, look what I found!
https://glovesnow.com/guide-to-disposab ... le-gloves/
Are Nitrile Disposable Gloves Recyclable?
Yes, Nitrile Disposable Gloves are recyclable in Australia. They can be recycled, however they need to go in a special separate recycling bin, as opposed to your standard recycling bin.
TerraCycle is a company that provides specialist disposable glove recycling boxes. You can buy them online, or from Australia Post, then simply fill the box with your used disposable nitrile, vinyl or latex gloves. Then you simply ship the box to the collection address, and shipping is already included in the price of the box!

Do you know if they have to be clean before collection?

[Wayne]

When you check their website it says;
"Do not send in medical waste, this includes material contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. Other types of protective gear like hair nets, ear plugs, and lab coats or garments are not accepted in this box."

[Marama T]

So I guess dissection gloves need to go in the rubbish bin. I'll look into getting a box for each lab, and will ask students to rinse and dry gloves before removal. I'm pleased!

[labbassistant]

I got this email this morning

[Marama T]

I got it too! We'll definitely be trying these. I'll also check out the details to make sure they're truly biodegradable. I'm so pleased about this trend for stuff to be good for the planet.

[Anna Z]

Make sure they meet regs for when you use higher concs of nasty stuff.

[Marama T]

Yes, I'll give them the acid test - literally. They are meant to be as good as other nitrile gloves. I just read the spec sheet and there's no detail on who decides that they can be marketed as "biodegradable", or the conditions required to degrade the gloves. More info definitely required - watch this space!

[Marama T]

Terracycle sell boxes for recycling nitrile gloves (among other things - check out the website). I'll try to talk the head teacher into getting one.

[Anna Z]

Terracycle sell boxes for recycling nitrile gloves (among other things - check out the website). I'll try to talk the head teacher into getting one.

I looked into it...very expensive

[Marama T]

We're going to get one of the nitrile glove recycling boxes and see how long we can make it last. Yes, they are expensive, but we can't keep chucking stuff into landfill. What price a healthy planet?

[Prima]

We're going to get one of the nitrile glove recycling boxes and see how long we can make it last. Yes, they are expensive, but we can't keep chucking stuff into landfill. What price a healthy planet?

Any feedback, Marama T - is it working out? Sounds like a great idea! Hard work, but essential!