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Old PPE Gloves That Can Be Recycled And Laundered

How Do You Recycle PPE Gloves?

The need for personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and aprons, has risen over the last two years. However, for many business owners, PPE has always been a common part of life. You need things to protect yourself and your workers on the job, which means you are likely to go through thousands of pairs of PPE gloves every single day. This raises a significant problem; where do all the used items go? Most will end up in landfills, meaning your business generates a large carbon footprint. But, with specialist PPE recycling, this no longer needs to be an issue, as it can contribute to sustainability by integrating waste-to-energy solutions.

You may be wondering, how should your business recycle PPE gloves and other PPE items? It may seem like an additional costly and time-consuming task, but the reality is that the process of recycling PPE is much easier than you may think.

Can PPE Gloves Be Recycled?

Reusing/Recycling PPE is possible with proper disinfection. Contrary to long-held beliefs, a University of Waterloo study (2021) showed sterile gloves can be safely reused up to 20 times using alcohol, UV light, or heat treatments.

What to Consider Before Recycling PPE Gloves

1. Type of Glove Material

Before recycling PPE gloves, the first critical factor to consider is the material type. Not all gloves are created equal in terms of recyclability. The most commonly used materials—nitrile, latex, vinyl, and sometimes hybrid blends—each behave differently in recycling systems.

  • Nitrile gloves are generally the most recyclable. They are made from synthetic rubber and are widely accepted by specialized recycling programs like our glove recycling services. If your gloves are nitrile and uncontaminated, they are excellent candidates for recycling.
  • Latex gloves, while made from natural rubber and biodegradable over time, are less commonly accepted for recycling. The term ‘latex gloves recyclable’ applies only under specific conditions, such as the gloves being clean and free of contaminants, and knowing local recycling regulations, as not all facilities accept latex gloves.
  • Vinyl gloves (made from PVC) are the least eco-friendly option. They are rarely accepted by recycling facilities because they contain plasticizers and other chemicals that are toxic and can contaminate other recyclable plastics.
  • Hybrid gloves, which combine multiple materials (like nitrile-vinyl blends), are even harder to recycle due to their mixed composition. The term ‘hybrid gloves recyclable’ highlights the challenges posed by their mixed materials, requiring specialized, and often limited, recycling channels.

To maximize recyclability, it is crucial to first identify and separate gloves based on material type, as mixing different types—especially vinyl—can ruin entire recycling batches.

2. Contamination Level

The second major factor to assess before recycling gloves is their level of contamination. This determines whether a glove is suitable for recycling or must be handled as hazardous waste.

  • Gloves that have been used in medical, laboratory, or cleaning settings may come into contact with biohazards (like blood or bodily fluids) or chemical agents. These gloves are classified as hazardous waste and should never be placed in recycling bins. Doing so can contaminate the entire recycling stream, making it unusable and unsafe to process.
  • Only gloves that are uncontaminated and used in low-risk environments—like food service, light industrial work, or general cleaning—should be considered for recycling. Even then, it’s essential to ensure that the gloves are dry and free of residues before placing them in a recycling box.

To manage this effectively, staff must be trained to recognize hazardous vs. non-hazardous waste, and there should be clear, separate bins for each type. This small step has a big impact in keeping the recycling process efficient and safe.

Steps to Recycle PPE Gloves

Step 1: Partner with a recycling company

Most PPE can’t be thrown in regular recycling bins.To ensure the process is performed correctly, partner with a recycling company that can handle things for you—like Bates Enterprises. You’ll be provided with your own recycling bin or instructions on where to send your PPE for it to be recycled.

Step 2: Collect your PPE

Next, all you need to do is collect your used gloves, PPE clothes, and other equipment after they have been used. Instead of throwing them away, get them all together ready for recycling. We will collect everything periodically, so you can focus on other aspects of your business. The remainder of the process is handled behind the scenes as your gloves are taken to a special factory where they can be stripped down and recycled.

What Are the Benefits of PPE Recycling?

The benefits of PPE recycling are extremely clear for your industrial business:

  • Lower your carbon footprint
  • Reduce waste
  • Eliminate your disposal-related liability
  • Maintain involvement in a PERC-free program
  • Improve your standing with the EPA and other environmental enforcement organizations
  • Boost your reputation as an environmentally-friendly business, which may help you secure more clients

  • Contribute to meeting sustainability goals by participating in recycling programs and reducing your overall environmental footprint

Is it Possible to Extend the Life of PPE Gloves?

Absolutely! Many businesses and warehouse managers are unaware of this, but PPE laundering can be extremely useful. Effectively, this process cleans your equipment and allows you to reuse it safely again and again. We actually offer a PPE laundering service to help you get the most out of your equipment.

When you finally can’t reuse something any further, it can be recycled! By partnering with a PPE laundering and cycling business, you can save an enormous amount of time and money, ensuring the complete management of gloves from use to disposal!

Save Time and Money with PPE Recycling & Laundering

Appeal to clients’ interests by becoming an environmentally-friendly business with PPE recycling services for customers. Few people in the industry understand the rigors of cleaning hard-worn PPE properly, let alone how to recycle PPE properly. Bates has the knowledge, experience, and network to make sure your PPE ends up where it needs to so that it can be used again. From sales to laundering to recycling, Bates Enterprises leads the industry in all aspects of PPE.

PPE Recycling & Laundering at Bates Enterprises

If you want to enjoy the benefits of recycling PPE gloves, get in touch with Bates Enterprises today. We offer recycling and laundering services that will help you save money, lower your carbon footprint, and be a better business. Call us at 256-596-8499 or contact us online today!

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