Why Cheap Gloves Aren't a Bargain

In the realm of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE), cost is often a primary consideration. However, focusing solely on the price of disposable gloves can lead to significant hidden costs and risks. 

A recently published article in the Journal of Food Protection emphasises that choosing gloves based on low cost is a risky procurement strategy. Glove contamination from cost-cutting manufacturing steps has been shown to contaminate food, endanger consumers, and cause product recalls.

This blog explores why the true value of disposable gloves extends beyond their price tag, underscoring the potential hazards of opting for cheaper alternatives and the advantages of prioritising quality and ethical sourcing. 

 

How Can Gloves Be So Cheap?

With raw materials and factory expenses accounting for 70% of the total cost of a glove, substantial cost savings can only be made in these two areas. It's crucial to understand the full risks and true cost implications of cheap gloves when making informed purchasing decisions.

Key Factors Affecting Glove Costs & Areas of Cost-Cutting: Raw Materials and Factory Expenses

Cheap Raw Materials

1. Ripped Gloves: Cheap raw materials and fillers added during manufacturing will reduce cost and increase glove thickness, but also make gloves weaker and prone to frequent tearing. Read more about the risks of ripped gloves.  
2. 40% Usage Increase: Due to rips, holes, and the need to double glove, cheaply made gloves immediately negate any short-term cost savings. 
3. Reduced Worker Efficiency: Time is wasted swapping ripped gloves, and production lines are affected by foreign material (glove pieces) contaminants.
4. Food Safety Implications: Cheap gloves can contain toxic compounds that can contaminate food (such as phthalates, BPA, and PFAS). Combined with poor hand hygiene and glove juice, a ripped glove can risk microbial and chemical contamination & a major product recall.
5. Skin issues and muscle injury. Cheap toxic compounds can cause skin irritation to glove wearers, who can also suffer from muscle damage as gloves are made thicker and less elastic from filler use, increasing muscle strain. 

Poor Factory Standards 

1. Food Safety Implications from Contaminated Water: Glove manufacturing uses significant amounts of hot water which is costly. To reduce cost, cheap water sources contaminated with animal and human sewage, fertilisers, pesticides and industrial wastewater can be used, heated insufficiently to kill microbes, risking pathogen contamination.
2. Energy: Dirty wash tanks and poor environmental practices are other ways to save costs. Additionally, insufficient drying methods save money but can cause mould and fungus to form.
3. Labour: Glove manufacturing is notorious for labour violations, poor wages and poor living standards.
4. Gloves per box: A well-known method by manufacturers of reducing costs is to include up to 5-10 fewer gloves per box, and/or include several defective gloves. 

Read more for a detailed explanation of the cost-cutting manufacturing steps at the critical control points of glove production.

 

What Can You Do?!

Cheap gloves might seem like a cost-saving option, but they can ultimately be a poor investment. Protect your business by sourcing gloves from reputable suppliers with robust quality assurance and responsible sourcing certifications. Before purchasing, consider these factors:

• Supplier Reputation: Do they have a strong history and experience in glove sourcing?
• Online Presence: Is there a well-established website, including a blog, published articles, and active social media?
• Customer Feedback: Are testimonials and references readily available?
• Educational Resources: Are there online resources for learning about glove quality and safety?
• Quality Assurance: Request factory audits and HACCP compliance certifications.
• Product Trials: Ensure you can trial glove samples before committing to a purchase.
• Glove Type: Be cautious of vinyl/nitrile mixed gloves marketed as nitrile—sample before buying. Consider the food safety, wearer comfort, and environmental impact of vinyl gloves before purchasing.

 

More about Eagle Protect 

Since certifying as a B Corporation™ in 2012, Eagle Protect has remained committed to responsible sourcing and a transparent supply chain, ensuring environmental and social impacts are thoroughly assessed.

We partner with businesses that prioritise quality, reputation, staff, and customers by sourcing disposable gloves and clothing responsibly.

Our high-quality products make us the perfect match for your needs. Contact our Eagle experts today for more information about our ethically sourced products or for assistance in selecting the best PPE for your food or medical business.

Learn more about the advantages of sourcing from Eagle Protect and how we set the industry standard with our five points of difference, including our proprietary Delta Zero™, a third-party glove quality verification system that ensures our range of Eagle gloves consistently meets high-quality specifications and safety standards.