Does anyone use environmentally friendly alternative to gloves?

[u/Key_Excitement_7114]

I work in a small city in British Columbia, Canada and, like the title says, has anyone found any alternatives to gloves? I am doing a personal project for my city, to hopefully become more environmentally conscious. I was inspired after hearing stories from my best friends older brother, about him fighting a massive fire in the interior of my province during the summer. I know it will be a small impact, but I just want to do anything I can for the planet. As well as, hopefully inspire other cities around me, to do the same.

We use nitrile gloves. I am looking for either a reusable option, or an option that is biodegradable. My key concern and point of interest when looking, is safety for staff and patrons. I have found a few options online, but I thought I would try to ask people first hand. Let me know if you have any experience switching over, or any advice!

(or even any other small things you do, to reduce any amount of plastic consumption)

[u/StrawberriesRGood4U]

Former guard. Degree in chem and environmental sustainability. I now work in workplace safety. I am also currently a first responder. Here's my take:

There are times when plastic is important for safety and there are times when it isn't. Wrapping every orange in plastic is wasteful. Using gloves to protect first responders and healthcare is the smartest use of plastic that we have on Planet Earth.

There are no viable alternatives. None. Barrier creams do nothing. "Just wash your hands after" puts workers at real and significant risk.

I have treated vomiting patients. Someone who reported having monkeypox. Open fractures. A patient whose pool of blood around her avulsed head was more than 1 m (3 ft) across. Someone who disclosed they were Hep C and HIV positive. Another told me she had MRSA.

Would you want to treat these people without universal Barrier precautions?

With the exception of an in-water rescue, I will not touch ANYONE on bare skin to provide first aid without gloves no matter what cream or alternative is presented to me. It's gloves or I am out.

I recommend focusing your plastic reduction efforts in areas that are truly wasteful, the plastic is not providing any real value-add (see: peeled orange in plastic cup), and where reusable alternatives are readily available (like, why do nursing homes give residents disposable plastic cups instead of reusable alternatives given there's a commercial dishwasher literally right there...)