Disposable gloves are a key component of PPE clothing. They are designed to limit the wearer’s exposure to substances that could endanger the wearer’s health. This is particularly important in the healthcare industry where users are likely to come into contact with a whole range of bodily fluids or infectious diseases. However, disposable gloves are not just limited to healthcare settings. They can be applied to cleaning practices or even used in the baking industry. Clearly, there are many uses for disposable gloves but some of you may be wondering “How to dispose of contaminated gloves safely?”
Well, in this article we will:
- Discuss disposing gloves as clinical waste
- Identify different waste bags
- How to dispose of contaminated gloves safely
- Discuss a final point
Firstly, it is important to note that PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) has played a crucial part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Collectively, we have experienced just how vital protective apparel has been in stopping the spread of the virus. As such, at the time of writing, we are slowly edging towards a period where disposable PPE such as face masks are less of a necessity. However, this should not mean that PPE like Latex disposable gloves should be worn less frequently. There is still a need for them to be enforced to ensure that users are safe in any application which may be deemed hazardous.
Disposing of Gloves as Clinical Waste
Firstly, the main application for disposable gloves is in the healthcare industry. Furthermore, once a set of gloves has been identified as ‘clinical waste’, it must be disposed of correctly. This is to help avoid the spread of infections or hazardous substances coming into contact with people and the earth’s environment. Clinical waste can be defined as “Waste produced from healthcare and similar activities that may pose a risk of infection”. Some other examples of clinical waste consist of: swabs, bandages, needles and syringes.
Identifying Different Waste Bags
Waste bags and their colouring are common methods enforced to dispose of waste safely. Below we have listed the different types of waste bags and what each colour signifies:
- Infectious waste (hazardous or non-hazardous) should be disposed of in orange bags if the waste has come from patients with known or suspected infectious diseases. The waste should then be sent for alternative treatment to render it safe for disposal.
- If the waste contains additional substances such as needle residue or chemicals, the waste should be disposed via yellow bags which ensures they are incinerated after disposal.
- PPE used for administering cyto medicines and procedures are to be disposed of as cytotoxic or cytostatic waste. Waste considered as cytotoxic or cytostatic must be placed into a purple bag. They are then sent to an authorised facility for incineration. Cytotoxic and cytostatic waste includes medicines in tablet, liquid, cream or aerosol form that have come into contact with the waste.
- Waste that is non-hazardous but still unpleasant is placed into yellow and black waste bags (also known as tiger bags). It includes items such as hygiene and sanitary waste.
- Red waste bags are utilised for all body parts (hazardous and non-hazardous) that require disposal and are most commonly associated with surgical procedures.
- White waste bags are used for hazardous amalgam waste which includes dental fillings and capsules containing residue. They are sent to a separate landfill cell to be disposed of safely
- Clear bags are new editions to waste disposal and consist of lateral flow devices which need to be incinerated.
- Blue bags are for non-hazardous medicines and denatured drugs that require disposal and pose no risk of containing cytotoxic or cytostatic properties.
Disposal of Contaminated Gloves:
Now that we have identified the different types of coloured waste bags that are used primarily for clinical waste, some of you may be asking “How to dispose of contaminated gloves safely”.
Firstly, If you have been wearing disposable gloves, you need to remember that the germs that you are trying to avoid are going to be physically on the gloves. This means you need to be very mindful of anything that you touch while wearing disposable gloves.
If you suspect that your gloves are contaminated, you need to take off the disposable gloves. The best way to do this is to have a partner to help assist you as this will limit the chance that your skin comes into contact with any hazardous substances.
Alternatively, if you left to your own devices, take off the glove on your stronger hand first. Once you have completed this, grab a new pair and place one glove back on your stronger hand. Now that a fresh glove is safely on, you can easily remove the contaminated glove on your weaker hand and place the other clean glove back on your weaker hand with your stronger hand.
Next, you will need to safely dispose of the gloves. To do this you will have to place them in one of the waste bags we have previously mentioned depending on what application the glove is utilised in.
Finally, If disposable gloves are not properly disposed of and are left lying around, then this presents serious issues to both human and environmental health. As such, make sure you are always ensuring that contaminated gloves are disposed of correctly.
Final Points
A final point to consider when talking about disposable gloves is that in healthcare professions, disposable gloves should only be worn once. In addition, they should be changed between patients or between treatment areas on the same patient. For situations where there is a high risk of contamination or infection, health experts advise wearing two sets of gloves, known as ‘double gloving’ for extra safety. This may result in a large amount of glove waste that could pose a threat to human health. Therefore, knowing how to dispose of them properly is crucial.
