How can I reuse or recycle used disposable Latex gloves?
A few weeks ago, we had to pick up John’s car from the garage after a service/MOT and while we were breathing in lungfuls of carbon monoxide waiting for the mechanic to finalise all the paperwork, I found myself staring at a big box of used disposable gloves near the counter. I don’t know how long the pile had been accumulating but there was a scary amount of them apparently just about to go in the bin.
Once I got back into the open air and my head stopped swimming from all the fumes, my first thought was “how could I recycle or reuse them?”.
I’ve only used latex gloves once – to provide grip when removing my now defunct tongue piercings – and I don’t think I’d have liked to have used dirty ones for that — but my tongue piercing fondling ones were clean after use and have been kept in the cleaning cupboard if we need them for any dirty jobs.
I guess there will be some overlap with rubber gloves – but the thinner Latex may restrict – or inspire – other uses.
So suggestions?
(Photo by Capgros)
They are useful for doing small gardening chores such as transplanting seedlings etc. Were you dont want your hands dirty but need the more versatility of a thinner glove.
Same with painting.
i used an old pair of gloves to reset a rat trap – i have small hands so needed thinner gloves that weren’t going to get in the way and make the job harder.
lik delusion said gardening – and especially this time of year when its the time to start planting seeds and filling small pots up with compost/soil.
my stp dad also wears a pair when filling up with petrol. or i know he did when he had a diesel car as it sometimes dripped on his hands. if you fold one around the other like you do socks you can have the clean inside of the glove as the outside which means you can store them in the gloves compartment of the car without worrying about them making stuff dirty.
Jenny
Regarding the “rat trap” you mentioned, please be kind and use a “humane” trap. They are only $10.
wow you animal crazy people really amuse me
use them when washing dishes, cleaning toilet, washing tub,
Mir
I often paint things, get halfway through a job and want to carry on the next day. Rather than thoroughly cleaning my brushes (especially if I’m using gloss or other spirit-based paint which is a real hassle to clean off and needs nasty solvents to clean off), I often wrap the brushes tightly in plastic bags, since if no air gets to them then they don’t dry out and can be used again straight away the next day.
Latex gloves would be just as good or better than plastic bags as they’re just the right size.
Keep them around for added grip when undoing tight jar or bottle lids.
Latex and natural rubber will decompose on their own. It’s renewable since it’s made from tree sap.
isn’t latex plastic?
No, absolutely. Latex is biodegradable
I use them on hangers so my clothes stay put. Wash, cut the fingers off, and tie one on each shoulder of the hanger (for tops) or one at the bottom (for slacks). Your clothes will stay put! The rest of the glove can be cut into strips for the same purpose. I also use the “palms” (after the fingers are cut off) as jar openers and to keep table linens and throw rugs in place. careful on expensive wood though – i’m not sure whether it would leave a mark.
When I was little, we used to use latex gloves to germinate seeds. Just stick dampened cotton balls into each of the finger tips with the seeds and leave it in a safe, warm place. Really fun for the kids to grow their own plants once they sprout!
Blow them up and make little chicken-like creatures! Lol.
Something to keep in mind: These gloves were likely already “used” by a mechanic to fix a car. Therefore, some are going to be coated with grease and other nasty chemicals that you may not want near anything (ie, it is poisonous or gives off hazardous fumes, or irritates the skin, etc)…
Rubber gloves are great for removing cat/dog hair from furniture, rugs, etc. Of course use the clean side. And opening jars with them on really works.
Dry them and use again. Wash , if needed. Place each glove around the neck of a small jar. Blow it a bit through a small opening between the glove and a jar. Let dry.
use for water bombs if you are feeling in touch with your childish side!
Fill them up with – for example – dried grass =) and use them to store your rings (put them on the fingers)
or blow them up and make them explode to freak someone out =)
they r recyclable
How are recycliable?
We weren’t sure so had to look it up. The tyres we recycle are used in construction projects mainly for the lining of “landfill sites” sorry about as anti green as can be some are used as fuels in cement kilns as opposed to burning coal or oil slightly better but a reduction in new building would be greener still.
However rubber is apparently recyclable and here’s a link to the process which is fairly lengthy. Wouldn’t gaurantee you staying awake through it if your tyred yourself.
http://practicalaction.org/docs/technical_information_service/recycling_rubber.pdf
We were not sure so we looked it up rubber is reyclable apparently.
http://practicalaction.org/docs/technical_information_service/recycling_rubber.pdf
Not easy going but will show you what rubber types can be recycled.
Latex glove is green. Just shred them into thin and small pieces, and bury into soil. they will decomposed as latex consist of protein and hydrocarbon
I’m not sure if your gloves are latex, or possibly nitrile ones? I am doing research in a forensic lab and I cut the band off at the wrist end of the gloves – they make excellent hairbands.