PPE & PROTECTIVE WORKWEAR
Biodegradable technology is now being incorporated in hand protection. This technology kickstarts a biodegradation process only when discarded in an active landfill environment, making gloves more environmentally friendly with a much faster natural breakdown (less than 500 days) compared to regular nitrile which can take over 100 years.
Wider initiatives also include the use of recycled polyester (RPET) in glove materials today.
Now being used in glove liners, RPET is manufactured from a range of plastics including plastic bottles, food containers and cutlery for instance. This directly reduces the amount of new raw material required to knit the liners and has a direct positive impact on the environment in reduced CO2.
Recycled polyester (RPET) reduces the reliance on virgin oil-based polyesters, uses less oil and toxic resources and reduces pollution and protects the environment by saving virgin material, carbon dioxide, water and oil.
When sourcing RPET gloves, look for a stamp on the back of the glove that clearly shows the amount of virgin material and CO2 saved by using RPET, avoiding any confusion or the arbitrary single plastic bottle quote.
However, it's not just about the products but also how the products get to the hands where businesses – the buyers, health, safety and environmental managers and compliance officers – can make more sustainable decisions.
Look out for those that have also been certified by the recycled blended claim standard. Other things to look out for when sourcing more sustainable hand protection solutions are gloves that are water based and DMF free – so free of solvents and potentially harmful chemicals.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION Sustainable hand protection promotes the responsible use of resources by incorporating materials that are renewable and have a lower ecological footprint.
Creating sustainable hand protection involves assessing the entire supply chain to ensure that ethical and environmentally friendly practices are maintained at all stages.
For end users, that can mean selecting those suppliers that take this aspect of their sustainable approach seriously. As an example, enquire about how products are not just materially made, but how they are shipped, and how they are manufactured from an energy and waste-reduction perspective.
Are suppliers using ships with the lowest carbon footprint under the new classification system similar to the system used for domestic appliances? Select suppliers that only use ships with class A or B ratings to help offset carbon impact that help contribute to the Verified Carbon standard and WWF gold standard initiatives.
You can also look at the amount of plastic being used by suppliers in their packaging and opt for those making conscious differences to reduce this – from both a plastic and carboard perspective, which again can have a positive impact on carbon footprint and
x.com/TomorrowsHS
emissions. Look for suppliers that use cardboard which is either recycled (inners) or recyclable (outers).
Are samples supplied sent out in paper wallet envelopes rather than plastic bags? And, are user information sheets printed on recycled paper? Seemingly small things – but given the number of gloves used across the UK annually these can add up to make big differences.
GREENER OPERATIONS Look at the manufacturing operations of suppliers. Where are their products made and how – are they through greener energy or carbon heavy manufacturing? Do they measure and track their own waste to ensure it is disposed of responsibly, minimising waste to landfill?
Do they operate certified wastewater treatment plants or manage the exhaust air from their production processes?
Can suppliers actively demonstrate their approach to sustainable impact and how they are seeking to reduce theirs?
WALKING THE WALK IN THEIR OWN
BRAND REPUTATION Some investigation should provide enough evidence to let you know if your glove suppliers are conscious about sustainability and can demonstrate their own environmental stewardship.
Look for their own business initiatives as key indicators. Unigloves works with Ecologi for example as we understand that, in some cases, it is not possible to make a product or process as green or carbon neutral as we would like (at this moment).
Ecologi supports projects around the world, such as agroforestry in Tanzania, enabling farmers in incorporating trees and greenery indigenous to the area that have been proven to increase soil quality, increasing food production, or helping the restoration and conservation of four types of habitats: wildflower meadows, wetlands (including peatland restoration), heathland) and woodland.
Other organisations we work with include Plastic Bank who have 587 recycling communities who collect plastic and exchange it at a plastic bank for secure income and life improving benefits. Plastic is collected within 50km of ocean-bound waterways and coastlines. This helps to reduce the amount of plastic that even enters the water course at source.
CONCLUSION From reducing plastic in products and packaging to incorporating biodegradable materials, businesses can themselves become more environmentally conscious through their own hand protection programmes without compromising safety – the crucial element in any hand protection programme.
Collectively we can all make a genuine dedication to making a positive impact. By embracing innovation and sustainability you can actively contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.
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