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Using gloves wisely: rethinking glove use for health, safety, and environmental sustainability
Summary
This multidisciplinary commentary examines the public health and environmental consequences of overusing non-sterile gloves in healthcare settings, showing that global glove reduction campaigns have safely decreased inappropriate use and the associated plastic waste. Single-use medical gloves are a significant source of plastic waste entering waste streams and ultimately fragmenting into microplastics, making glove stewardship programs a practical intervention for reducing healthcare sector plastic pollution.
Abstract Non-sterile gloves (NSG) are essential for reducing transmission of pathogens and for protecting patients and staff. Their overconsumption can lead not only to an increased risk of cross-contamination but also increased plastic waste and downstream environmental effects. Glove reduction campaigns worldwide have safely and successfully reduced their inappropriate use and associated waste. In this multidisciplinary commentary, we discuss the sweeping public health and environmental consequences of NSG overuse and strategies to implement a successful glove stewardship campaign.