Disposable gloves are a necessary safety tool for healthcare, food handling, laboratories, certain outdoor settings and many other applications. They protect your hands from bacterial contamination, chemical exposure and other hazards that could cause illness or injury.

What is disposable gloves?

Choose a glove that is resistant to chemicals and hazardous substances (general purpose) or a cleanroom glove that kills microorganisms to reduce particulate shedding and ensure a sanitary environment for your hands. You can also find nitrile and vinyl disposable gloves that are latex-free for people with allergies.

Be sure to discard your gloves properly – Instead of merely tossing them in the trash, fold them over onto themselves and dispose of them in a sanitary way. This will keep pathogens and other contaminants from getting on the outside of your glove and onto the surface you disposed of it on, preventing infection and cross-contamination.

Look for reusable gloves if you can – If you do not have a need to use disposable gloves, opt for reusable silicone or rubber gloves. These are cost-effective, convenient and reduce the amount of waste you create.

Consider compostable gloves if you need them – There are several companies that offer plant-based gloves that are biodegradable and will break down in a compost bin in less than a year. This is the most eco-friendly option for disposable gloves.

Although increasing recycling has helped reduce the amount of plastic and rubber used in producing gloves, a large portion still ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution. The SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak at the end of 2019 has brought new attention to personal protective equipment usage and the impact it can have on the environment.