At Blackwoods, we want to make sure everyone is safe on the job. But we also want to do our bit for the environment. That’s why we partner with suppliers who are taking steps to reduce carbon emissions and have a more positive impact on the environment through innovation and design of new safety wear. Safety gloves are essential on most job sites, from the automotive and aerospace industries to oil and gas, metal fabrication and everything in between.
Giving A Helping Hand to the Environment
Ansell has now introduced their new HyFlex 11-842 range of all-purpose safety gloves that are lined with 90% recycled nylon fibre, reducing carbon emissions by 75g CO2 eq/pair compared to their predecessors. This results in a glove that contains a minimum recycled content of 30% in the final product.
They have done away with the plastic wrapping and are instead using fully recyclable paper-bands that are responsibly sourced. This transition away from plastic wrap in packaging has resulted in a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to previous packaging. The gloves are also coloured with natural dye that’s a by-product of the Sri Lankan tea industry.
Theo Oostveen, Product Portfolio Manager of Ansell Ltd., notes “Our research shows that 95% of the carbon footprint created by mechanical gloves, can be attributed to these three categories of raw materials, distribution and packaging, and the manufacturing process. Ansell can reduce the footprint in each area via recycled materials, minimal and recyclable packaging, and ‘greener’ manufacturing via our in-house factories. All of this is evident here in our HyFlex 11-842 style.”
No Compromise on Safety or Comfort
Embedding sustainable principles doesn’t mean that quality or comfort needs to be sacrificed. Ansell’s FORTIX™ Technology provides up to 20% greater abrasion resistance compared to previous models, the ZONZ™ Comfort Fit Technology helps improve breathability and dexterity, and the gloves are touchscreen compatible and dermatologically tested to be skin friendly.
With a little innovation and determination, creating products that offer high-quality protection but with more positive environmental impact is possible. And when thousands of pairs of gloves are used daily as PPE across Australia, every glove counts towards a more sustainable future.
