Nitrile is one of the most popular materials used in safety gloves today for many reasons. Nitrile gloves reduce the risk of latex allergies, are relatively strong and inherently resistant to a range of water-based and oil-based chemicals and offer a comfortable and flexible fit. But are they eco-friendly?
As many companies increase their efforts to make environmentally conscious decisions in the workplace, the question arises: Are nitrile gloves biodegradable?
Disposable gloves and their environmental impact
Just like latex or vinyl gloves, nitrile gloves are a popular disposable glove option used in a wide variety of industries and applications. In recent years, the global pandemic has made disposable gloves an even more critical piece of protective equipment for workplaces. In fact, disposable gloves are now being used in workplaces where hand protection was never considered to be necessary before the arrival of COVID-19. Not only do disposable gloves provide protection in hospitals, the food industry, or cleaning applications, they have become a popular safety precaution for anyone working in contact with the public.
You’ll find latex, vinyl, nitrile and other varieties of disposable gloves used in workplaces around the world, and each has its benefits and preferred applications. In healthcare environments and workplaces where allergies are a factor, nitrile gloves are growing in popularity. Made from a synthetic compound that does not contain natural rubber latex, nitrile work gloves reduce the risk for those with latex allergy reactions. Nitrile gloves also have excellent protective properties thanks to their sturdy construction and chemical resistance, etc.
Of course, the upswing in the use of disposable gloves, including nitrile gloves, raises an environmental concern: Are disposable gloves biodegradable?
Are nitrile gloves biodegradable?
While latex gloves are made from a natural rubber compound and are naturally biodegradable, the same can’t be said for most nitrile gloves. Traditionally, nitrile gloves have not been biodegradable, as they’re made from a synthetic compound that takes many years to decompose. Finding a biodegradable nitrile disposable glove solution for the workplace is now possible with the advent of Unigloves BioTouch disposable nitrile gloves.
BioTouch: Unigloves first biodegradable disposable work gloves
Unigloves has been designing and manufacturing disposable safety gloves for the workplace for more than 30 years. As an industry leader in high quality work gloves, we know that safety and comfort and your top priorities. We also know that your business is committed to being a good corporate citizen and keeping your impact on the planet as low as possible while achieving your business’s objectives. When it comes to PPE, especially safety gloves, this can be a little tricky.
Even today, most disposable nitrile gloves can take decades to degrade in landfills. If your business, like many others around the world today, is focused on making better purchasing decisions for the planet – including what kind of PPE you use in the workplace – Unigloves biodegradable disposable gloves are the solution for you.
Benefits of Unigloves BioTouch nitrile gloves
- >91% biodegradation within 630 days
- Contains innovative biodegradable technology
- Tested to EN374 (for use with a range of chemicals)
- Tested to ASTM D5511 and ASTM D5526 (biodegradation standards)
- AQL 1.5 (meets medical standards for pinholes)
- Tested to EN1186 (safe for use with food)
- Nitrile formulation conforms to the hand
- Beaded cuff to prevent liquid rollback
- Textured fingertips for added grip
- Touchscreen compatible
Unigloves BioTouch nitrile gloves are your workplace’s answer to an environmentally friendly disposable nitrile glove solution that doesn’t compromise on protection or comfort. Like all Unigloves disposable nitrile gloves, BioTouch gloves are made using a high quality nitrile formulation that is resistant to a range of chemicals. Meeting medical standards for pinholes (AQL 1.5), BioTouch nitrile gloves are safe for use in medical and healthcare settings, ensuring protection from pathogens and microbes.
Tested to EN1186, they are also safe for use with all food types and, unlike latex or vinyl gloves, are suitable for use with oily and fatty foods. Thanks to being latex free, they are safe for use by persons with latex allergies. These factors combined mean Unigloves BioTouch nitrile disposable gloves are an incredibly versatile safety solution for any workplace – from food preparation to medical settings, to engineering, laboratory work, dentistry, manufacturing, and more.
But what makes BioTouch disposable gloves so special is their biodegradability. While latex gloves are naturally biodegradable, they are not selected for many workplaces due to the possibility of latex sensitivity. The HSE strongly discourages the use of latex gloves in the workplace unless it can be demonstrated there are no suitable alternatives available. Prolonged and repeated contact with latex gloves can also increase the risk of workers developing a latex allergy. For these reasons, nitrile gloves are the preferred choice for many workplaces.
While wearing appropriate safety gloves is an important part of your workplace’s health and safety protocols, your business may be looking to make a lower environmental impact where possible. Tested to international biodegradation standards, Unigloves BioTouch nitrile gloves are the answer.
These biodegradable disposable gloves have a much faster breakdown time than other nitrile gloves, which can take decades to fully decompose. The technology involved in manufacturing these gloves means they only begin to decompose when they are disposed of in an active landfill environment.
BioTouch gloves will have >91% biodegradation within 630 days, making them not only an excellent safety glove solution for your workplace but also an environmentally friendly one. Unigloves BioTouch biodegradable gloves are the ideal solution to protection, comfort, and reduced environmental impact goals for your workplace.
