Are biodegradable gloves the only sustainable option? Research suggests considering the entire life cycle of a glove, including its impact on stakeholders and the environment, not just its disposal.
Biodegradable Gloves: Are They the Solution?
Nitrile gloves are made from nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), a fossil-based polymer. Some glove manufacturers claim that the addition of specific additives will cause accelerated biodegradation of nitrile gloves. However, there is no scientific evidence to support that an additive can change the molecular structure of nitrile and allow it to biodegrade. In reality, accelerated degradation occurs, which may result in the creation of microplastics that are harmful to humans and the environment.
While the sources and data used to support nitrile glove biodegradability claims may look legitimate, they can be misleading. It is reported that claiming “biodegradability” without indicating the environment in which the biodegradation takes place is increasingly perceived as greenwashing and should not be used.
"no scientific evidence substantiates the claim that an additive can alter the molecular composition of nitrile, enabling biodegradation."
Standards Relating to Plastic Biodegradability
The applicable standards relating to plastic biodegradability (and applicable to nitrile) both measure degradation over a specific time; neither test can be used to predict future biodegradation. These tests do not provide pass/fail qualifications; therefore, a product can be tested against these standards, but it does not result in a certification or proven biodegradability.
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ASTM D5511-11 - Measures Laboratory Conditions
Limitations: Because there is a wide variation in the construction and operation of anaerobic digestion systems and because regulatory requirements for composting systems vary. This procedure is not intended to simulate the environment of any high-solids anaerobic digestion system. However, it is expected to resemble the environment of a high-solids anaerobic digestion process operated under optimum conditions.
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ASTM D5526-18 - Measures Biodegradation of Materials in Landfill Scenarios
Limitations: Because a wide variation exists in the construction and operation of landfills, and because regulatory requirements for landfills vary greatly, this procedure is not intended to simulate the environment of all landfills. However, it is expected to resemble a biologically active landfill's environment closely. More specifically, the procedure is intended to create a standard laboratory environment that permits rapid and reproducible determination of the anaerobic biodegradability under accelerated landfill conditions, while at the same time producing reproducible mixtures of fully and partially decomposed household waste with plastic materials for ecotoxicological assessment.
Additionally, landfill specialists caution against overreliance on biodegradability claims, emphasizing the importance of material breakdown into digestible components rather than simply fragmenting into smaller pieces.
“The Biodegradable and Compostable standards are based on tests that rate the material’s ability to break down (biologically) into pieces small enough so a certain portion will pass a certain sized mesh after a certain time. They do not place much value (if any) on the material itself for any subsequent purpose/state (e.g., composting or energy recovery). The fact that it can break down into smaller pieces does not determine whether the material is actually adding any value—it just means you can’t see it anymore.
In our opinion, there is no value to the landfill or the environment for a “biodegradable” nitrile glove to be in one piece or 10,000 pieces. “It may not choke a turtle, but it will still choke an earthworm” is the common phrase used to create an understanding that even if it is so small you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. The only value is for any material to break down into pieces that are in themselves small enough to be digested by bacteria as food. Also, that the molecules that make up the material are short carbon cycle (not synthetic / fossil-fuel based, but rather grown within the biosphere).”
- Tyron Hartle (Lead Sustainability Partner), and Tim Brake (Landfill Specialist) from WM Zealand
Sustainable Glove Solutions: Full Lifecycle
Resources: Glove Raw Materials & Harmful Toxins
- Glove raw material quality is directly responsible for glove durability and performance. Conversely, gloves will rip and tear if manufactured using cheap, poor-quality materials, increasing waste. Consideration must be given to gloves made from better quality materials to reduce usage. Third-party supplier certifications to verify quality are recommended.
- Cheap and toxic glove raw materials can cause glove wearer skin irritation and affect long-term health. Choose gloves without accelerators and with known skin benefits.
Processing & Manufacturing:
Ansell’s life cycle assessment highlights responsible manufacturing as having the greatest environmental impact, using processes that conserve resources and reduce pollution. The assessment found approximately 64% of carbon emissions came from production.
- Factories with renewable energy sources and water recycling and conservation systems will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Purchasing from manufacturers with zero waste targets with recycled packaging options helps reduce emissions and waste.
- Consider independent environmental and quality assurance factory audits.
Distribution:
Sourcing higher-performing lightweight gloves with greater durability means more gloves per carton and container, reducing international and national CO2 transport and distribution emissions.
Usage & End-of-Life Waste Reduction:
- Thickness: Commonly glove thickness can be reduced with better quality gloves, reducing your waste stream.
- Harmful Toxins & Chemicals: These can cause long-term skin issues for wearers as well as contribute to land and wastewater contamination. Vinyl gloves can be particularly toxic with BPA, PFAS and dioxin as well as vinyl chloride emissions during manufacture and disposal. Review glove type and trial glove quality before purchasing.
- Waste: Reduction is possible as more durable gloves have a lower failure rate.
- Reducing glove failures (ripping) and usage will directly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Nitrile gloves deemed ‘biodegradable’ typically cost more, and as the evidence suggests, could be hard to justify given the unproven benefits. We encourage you to consider the full glove lifecycle when selecting a sustainable glove option, including responsibly sourced nitrile gloves with proven performance, no harmful toxins and an overall reduction in glove usage and waste.
Download Eagle Protect's product catalog or shop our sustainable glove options below. Got questions about sustainability? Ask our team of specialists.
