A move toward environmentally friendly products has been ongoing for years. However, it took the COVID-19 pandemic to really bring forward the idea of workplaces using personal protective equipment that could be recycled.
In 2024, a study published in the journal Environmental Systems Research notes that “widespread use” of PPE during the pandemic “sparked worries about the environmental impact and its long-term sustainability.”
Manufacturers have stepped up to meet these sustainable needs, whether it be in the materials used to create PPE or giving safety pros the option to purchase reuseable PPE.
Closed Loop Recycling in St. Louis is one of those manufacturers. Here, Steve Simpson, assistant general manager at the company, shares his thoughts on eco-friendly/sustainable products and worker safety.
What are some ways safety products are being developed to be sustainable?
Simpson: By prioritizing performance and durability over disposable costs, manufacturers are designing products that last significantly longer. We’re also seeing a rise in items designed specifically for professional laundering. When a product can be cleaned and returned to service multiple times, the potentially higher per-item cost actually results in a much smaller environmental footprint.
What do you wish was better understood about using eco-friendly PPE?
Simpson: When a worker discards an item simply because it’s dirty, it may take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose in a landfill. I wish more people realized that keeping high-quality products in a closed-loop cycle isn’t just “good” – it’s a necessary rejection of the massive carbon footprint created by constant overseas replenishment.
What concerns are customers coming to you with regarding eco-friendly products?
Simpson: The biggest concerns typically involve hygiene and whether laundering degrades protection. We advise customers that professional laundering reduces the spread of germs; in many cases, laundered gloves have fewer bacteria than new ones. We also reassure customers that proper cleaning processes don’t compromise the PPE’s integrity or protection ratings. Although not every item is reusable, most can be reused, allowing organizations to maintain safety standards.
Compiled with the assistance of the International Safety Equipment Association.
Coming next month:
• Fall protection
• Instruments/monitors
