Support UN SDGs With Your Glove Choice
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015 to address the global challenges we face. The 17 SDGs encompass social, environmental and economic challenges and are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
The goals and associated targets are part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and they call for action by all countries, whether poor, rich or middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.
These are not just goals for governments to focus on, but are also the responsibility of business and individuals, encouraging everyone to participate and take action, to make the biggest impact possible. Identifying the impact we make on the planet, both positive and negative, will help us take action to assist the SDGs and targets.
Eagle Protect™ intersects three strategic goals - sustainability, food safety and supply chain transparency; which relate to the following SDGs:
SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Target 3.9: By 2022, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
Target 3.9.3: Mortality rate attributed to unintentional poisoning
Glove cross-contamination is a global issue and has been implicated as a contributory cause in over 15% of (food-borne) outbreaks investigated. There are an estimated 325,000 hospitalisations and 3,000 deaths due to foodborne outbreaks in the United States each year, estimated to cost $77.7 billion. Infection control management systems play an important role within the food and medical industries to minimise the risk of cross-contamination and pathogen infection.
Glove cross-contamination is a contributory cause in over 15% of foodservice food-borne outbreaks investigated (Michaels, B. 2018)
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Eagle’s scientific research and R&D into the cross-contamination potential and food safety implications of disposable gloves.
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Fingerprint Check testing of Eagle gloves to insure against the risks associated with physical, chemical and microbiological hazards of disposable gloves.
Through the use of quality nitrile gloves, by 2022:
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Reduce the annual death rate in the US from food-borne illness by 225 people and the number of hospitalisations by 9,600.
SDG 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
The British Medical Association has highlighted disposable glove manufacturing should be considered at high risk of labour rights abuse, including child and forced labour, workers subjected to harmful chemicals and extreme health and safety violations.
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Eagle’s Supplier Code of Conduct measures labour conditions, environmental impact and quality control.
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Full supply chain transparency to assess all Eagle products’ lifecycle.
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Raw material verification of gloves - no chemical threat to factory workers or accidental or intentional contamination during the manufacturing process.
Eagle Protect's Goals
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Identify any negative work or economic effects on those involved in the supply chain, and provide solutions to address and measure these.
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Increase number of CLF certified factories.
SDG 12: RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
Target 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
Glove consumption can be excessive due to poor quality raw materials and manufacturing processes, resulting in inferior quality gloves with high failure (ripping and puncturing) rates.
Globally 300 billion disposable gloves are manufactured each year. With around 60% of those used in the US, there is an opportunity for substantial waste reduction.
By swapping vinyl & thicker, poorer quality gloves to thinner & better-engineered nitrile gloves. Based on estimates of industry averages.
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Work with glove manufacturers to continually improve manufacturing standards and raw material formulation used during production, to produce stronger yet thinner gloves.
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Review glove type, dispensing and processes to reduce glove consumption.
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Swap customers from vinyl and thicker, poorer quality latex and nitrile gloves to thinner, stronger, better-engineered nitrile gloves.
Eagle Protect's Goals
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Reduce glove and packaging waste by 20% through reduced glove usage (better quality, less failure) and corresponding disposal waste.
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Provide our customers with personalised environmental impact savings focusing on waste, disposal, water and CO2 emissions.
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Develop recycling initiatives.
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Continue our leadership in the sustainable community and dedication to the B Corp certification.
Eagle’s specific focus is unique in the glove industry, and not only protects our customers' products, staff and brand, purchasing from Eagle helps to make a significant impact on the global challenges we face.
Our B Corp certification is just one of the ways we are working towards these SDGs. Will you join us in making the world a better place for everyone?
