The Three R’s of PPE Sustainability: A Guide for Lab Managers

By Lena Heidel, Ansell North America Sustainability Manager

Safety is a top priority for laboratory managers and researcher scientists when evaluating personal protective equipment (PPE). Non-negotiable in laboratory environments, identifying physical and health hazards in the workplace is a critical first step in the PPE selection process.¹ After accounting for safety requirements, lab managers can evaluate other considerations in the PPE selection process, such as sustainability criteria.

Sustainability plays a significant role in a lab’s operations. A recent global survey of 500 lab managers revealed that 82% of participating labs have adopted sustainability metrics to help with establishing targets for their sustainability strategies and monitoring the use of resources. Many of these lab managers have already taken actions to improve their lab’s environmental footprint.²

A key objective for many labs is determining how to minimize their waste, especially since many of the items used daily cannot be reused or recycled. PPE waste presents unique challenges as many items are single use only. PPE that contacts bodily fluids or hazardous materials cannot be recycled and must be properly discarded.³

Managing PPE waste has its limitations, but labs can still successfully strive toward achieving their PPE sustainability objectives by strategically implementing the three R’s of PPE sustainability: Rethink, Reduce and Recycle. Let’s take an in-depth look at all three areas. 

Rethink 

The process of evaluating and purchasing PPE should always follow the guidance and standards established by the appropriate government agencies within your market. For example, in the United States, general industry requirements for PPE are outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I, PPE requirements.⁴

After satisfying these requirements, lab managers focused on improving PPE waste management should rethink how their current PPE evaluation and purchasing processes align with their sustainability objectives. 

Lab managers can start by examining their PPE manufacturers and asking questions to better understand the role sustainability plays in their organization, such as: How is sustainability incorporated into their business operations? Is critical information, like social compliance standards, sustainability objectives and responsible supply chain practices, easy to find on their website or social media channels? 

This high-level examination should provide lab managers with enough information to evaluate their PPE manufacturers’ overall commitment to sustainability and determine how well it aligns with their labs’ objectives.

For an in-depth look at specific PPE products, lab managers can explore the My Green Lab Accountability, Consistency and Transparency (ACT) Program. The ACT Environmental Impact Factor Label was designed to provide scientists and procurement specialists clear, third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products.⁵

Lab managers can read about the criteria for the ACT label, check the ACT-label database to learn more about sustainable PPE options and leverage this data to make informed decisions about the PPE used within their labs.

With only quick desktop research required to start, “Rethink” can be the easiest of the three R’s of PPE sustainability strategies to execute. Resources such as a manufacturer’s website and My Green Lab can help deliver valuable insights into a manufacturers’ sustainability practices and how their PPE compares in the marketplace.

Reduce

While reducing the use of PPE in labs could compromise safety, there are ways to decrease the amount of PPE labs consume. This can be done by choosing higher-quality products that are more comfortable and durable so they can be worn longer and replaced less frequently.

For example, the new Kimtech™ Polaris™ Nitrile Exam Gloves were independently certified by US Ergonomics to provide measurable ergonomic benefits to users, such as improving the comfort and fit of the gloves.⁶ With the ability to wear the same pair of gloves for longer periods of time, labs have the potential to reduce their volume of PPE waste generated over time.

Another simple but effective tactic to help reduce PPE waste is periodically retraining team members on the proper use, fit and care of PPE.

Use: While proper use of PPE in many cases is easy to comprehend, there are situations, such as introducing new equipment or techniques, where retraining can prove beneficial. If new PPE with improved performance and durability is introduced in the lab, team members should be taught about the product’s benefits and how it may affect their ways of working.

Fit: How well PPE fits to a person’s body can also be a significant factor in how frequently it is readjusted, removed and/or replaced. Studies show that correctly sized PPE has been consistently shown to minimize range of motion loss, interference, physiological stress and fatigue associated with the use of protective equipment. Conversely, improperly sized PPE increases the likelihood of overexertion, fatigue, discomfort and injury.⁷

Care: Periodic cleaning and inspection of reusable PPE can help extend its useful life. Proper cleaning helps ensure PPE is working correctly, while allowing users to quickly identify holes, cracks, tears and other damage that may compromise the equipment.⁸

With its flexibility and level of customization, “Reduce” is a great strategy for labs that want to set ambitious targets and activate comprehensive PPE evaluation programs. From sourcing new PPE to fit specific lab needs to taking the steps to ensure the efficient use of PPE, lab managers have opportunities to design programs that fully maximize PPE’s functional benefits while effectively managing the amount of waste generated. 

Recycle

As noted, managing PPE waste can be challenging due to disposal requirements for items exposed to hazardous materials and the volume of waste generated from single-use only PPE. However, programs are available to help labs effectively collect and recycle specific PPE.

My Green Lab provides insights on various lab items that can be recycled and organizations that help facilitate the process.⁹ For example, The RightCycle™ Program is designed to keep single-use PPE out of landfills and, to date, has diverted 5.5 million pounds of plastic waste.^10,11

Using a four-step process, used and eligible PPE, including protective clothing, gloves, safety glasses, masks and respirators, are collected at labs and then transported to a partner recycling facility. Next, products are sorted and processed into plastic pellets. Finally, the raw materials are molded and transformed into new consumer products, like Adirondack chairs. 

While the number of PPE recycling programs is still growing, the importance of this benefit for labs focused on better waste management cannot be understated. Having the ability to keep uncontaminated PPE out of landfills is an excellent solution to support the full PPE lifecycle. 

The three R’s of PPE sustainability, Rethink, Reduce and Recycle, offer levels of flexibility and customization that enable lab managers to successfully launch scalable PPE waste management programs. With easy implementation tactics, lab managers have opportunities to produce measurable results that will make improving PPE waste management an achievable and sustainable annual goal.

1. Personal Protective Equipment OSHA 3151-02R 2023, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, pages 4-8, https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3151.pdf 
2. Balancing Scientific Advancement with Environmental Responsibility, Agilent, https://www.agilent.com/about/features/en/lab-sustainability.html 
3. PPE Recycling: How to Reduce Waste and Promote Worker Safety, ForestNation, https://forestnation.com/blog/ppe-recycling-how-to-reduce-waste-and-promote-worker-safety/ 
4. 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I, PPE requirements, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.132 
5. Introducing ACT®, My Green Lab, https://act.mygreenlab.org/ 
6. Kimberly-Clark Professional™ Improves Protection for Lab Workers with New Kimtech™ Polaris™ Nitrile Exam Gloves, Kimberly-Clark Professional, https://www.kcprofessional.com/en-us/about-kimberly-clark-professional/news-releases/polaris-news-release 
7. Brisbine BR, Radcliffe CR, Jones MLH, Stirling L, Coltman CE. Does the fit of personal protective equipment affect functional performance? A systematic review across occupational domains. PLoS One. 2022 Nov 30;17(11):e0278174. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278174. PMID: 36449531; PMCID: PMC9710848., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9710848/
8. Personal Protective Equipment OSHA 3151-02R 2023, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, page 18, https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3151.pdf 
9. Recycle, My Green Lab, https://www.mygreenlab.org/recycle.html 
10. The RightCycle Program, Kimberly-Clark Professional, https://kimtech.kcprofessional.com/en-us/solutions/sustainability-rightcycle  
11. 2023 WasteBits and 2023 Kimberly-Clark Corporation proprietary insights. WasteBits is a 3rd party company that provides software and services to the waste industry, including sustainability tracking.