What are Biodegradable Disposable Plastic Gloves?

The problem? Landfills of disposable plastic, latex, and nitrile gloves.

An estimated 4 billion disposable gloves are used per year and are exponentially on the rise. Good health starts with clean hands, but our environment and planet shouldn't have to suffer.

Say goodbye to waste. Plastic materials take centuries to breakdown naturally in the environment. New advancements in biopolymer materials, which are plant based plastic substitutes that can decompose naturally in the environment. How does it work? Natural microorganisms break down the glove material in conditions that are typically warm, moist, and directly exposed to sunlight. 

While biodegradable plastics are perceived to be more eco-friendly, it is first important to understand the background behind the material, the factory, and the process being used to create a truly eco-friendly product such as Eco Gloves.

When were Biodegradable Plastics Invented?

The first bioplastics company was created in the 1980's, and it wasn't until the early 2000's til bioplastics were beginning to be commercially used.

How are Biodegradable Gloves made?

Eco Gloves are made from 100% renewable raw materials or all-natural plant materials such as corn, cassava, tapioca roots, sugarcane, or sugar beet pulp. These vegetable based materials replace the petroleum-based plastics of today. The benefits of these biopolymers are that they're non-toxic, eco-friendly, recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, and better processed.

New advancements in manufacturing allow for a low time consumption for production and a high molecular weight final product. Even in high-performance and demanding applications, biodegradable glove alternatives are a good fit. 

Eco Gloves are made from corn starch. Because of this, during the manufacturing process, energy is saved and less carbon is emitted because the plants used already have the same amount of carbon. Less energy is needed, 65% less than traditional petroleum products. Manufacturing bioplastics also do not require the process of finding, accessing, and transportation of hydrocarbons. Therefore, fewer fossil fuels are used, a lower carbon footprint, and less pollution in the environment. It is estimated that 68% fewer greenhouse gases are produced, a significant environmental benefit.

How to Biodegradable Gloves Break Down?

The secret is our additives that speed up the rate of decay or breakdown in the presence of oxygen and light. Moisture also accelerates the breakdown process. Most gloves will break down only in the presence of the sun's UV light or with high industrial-scale temperatures.

Eco Gloves are also easy to recycle. They are non toxic since they have no chemicals or toxins. The recycled bio-waste can be used as compost or renewable energy for biogas. 

How is Waste Minimized?

Biodegradable gloves break down in only a period of a few months, this reduces the millions of trash produced annually each year

How does this Help the Environment?

Less petroleum. Oil is a significant ingredient in manufacturing plastics. There is waste during refinement and also the energy to extract oil from the earth. Since biodegradable products are natural, it lessens the environmental hazards.