Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Sustainability for nitrile gloves in the UK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Brandon Hamer Posted: Friday November 28, 2025 8:12 AM Subject: Sustainability for nitrile gloves in the UK Message: Hi all, We're currently looking into changing our nitrile gloves towards being more sustainable. For gloves which are synthetic, this means reducing the production of landfill waste by using gloves that are biodegradable and/or using gloves that can be recycled. As always there is an interest in keeping costs to a reasonable level. Our context: largely archaeological with some historic material. Scotland specifically, in case that makes a difference with recycling schemes. So far, based on previous posts/threads and from a little digging, I've found the following information: 1). Schemes to recycle gloves The Ansell Nitrile Glove Recycling Programme | TerraCycle UK <https://www.terracycle.com/en-GB/brigades/gloves> Recycle Disposable Gloves | Zero Waste Box™ by TerraCycle <https://shop.terracycle.com/en-GB/products/disposable-gloves-zero-waste-box?_gl=1*1s9nepb*_gcl_au*MTIyODA5ODM5OC4xNzU5NzM3MDUw*_ga*MTk5NDExMjg0OC4xNzU5NzM3MDQ4*_ga_YKZ00C3L4J*czE3NjA2MDg5MjMkbzIkZzEkdDE3NjA2MDkwMDIkajU2JGwxJGg1NjkwMzU5NDc.> The Ansell scheme requires that the institution buys the Ansell gloves and the costs of recycling appear to be included in the cost of the gloves. The second scheme, with a purchased recycling box, is similar but doesn't seem to restrict the specific gloves that are used (aside from them being vinyl, nitrile or latex). Does anyone have direct experience of using these or similar services. 2. Biodegradable nitrile gloves Unigloves Biotouch Nitrile Work Gloves 100pk - SafetyGloves.co.uk <https://www.safetygloves.co.uk/GM0082.html?msclkid=bbe2f9e2628b1f291f6991011b562d86> SHOWA 7500pf gloves - Search <https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=163&q=SHOWA+7500pf+gloves&cvid=6e19f6fddccc4e0ebc4ba36934eee29d&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMggIAhDpBxj8VdIBBzc4NmowajGoAgCwAgA&FORM=ANNAB1&PC=LCTS> The Biotouch gloves come with certificates for: EN 374 (Standard for Chemical Resistance Gloves) EN 455 (Standard for Medical Gloves) EN 455-1 (Freedom from Holes) << I think this might be a step up from our current gloves! EN 455-2 (Physical Properties) The Showa gloves have been noted on this forum as having desirable qualities: lack of residues, good performance in Oddy tests) and are biodegradable, thicker, and suitable for handling sensitive art/metallic surfaces. These do have an increased purchase cost, but are then biodegradable in the ground and involve no additional organisation/costs for recycling. As it's still a plastic there is a concern over what 'biodegradable' really means - are they merely breaking down into microplastics? Another concern is that these gloves will be less suitable for working with solvents - even the non-biodegradable nitrile gloves deteriorate after exposure to ethanol or acetone and perform poorly against white spirits and stronger non-polar solvents. It is noted that the biotouch gloves do have chemical resistance certificates, but how applicable these are more specifically to conservation use is not too clear. Does anyone have any further insights into these biodegradable gloves? Any other input or information is greatly appreciated. Thank you, ------------------------------ Brandon Hamer Conservator AOC Archaeology Group Edinburgh United Kingdom ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
