Recycling Gloves for Good

Posted on February 7, 2020 | First Time

We love the patients and families who trust us with their smiles, but we also love investing in our community as a whole. Our Blossom team is always looking for ways to leave a legacy, which is why we can’t wait to tell you about a new partnership that has excited to give back. 

Disposable medical gloves are an overwhelming source of waste in the dental industry, with an estimated 100 billion gloves being thrown away each year. But there might just be an effective way to recycle without compromising cleanliness. The University of Michigan School of Dentistry has developed and implemented a program that will redirect glove waste, the first program of its kind. 

While this is a relatively new initiative, sizable impact is already being seen. The first glove collection at the school began in June of 2017, totaling 610 lbs, which is approximately 55,000 gloves. The second shipment occurred one year later, weighing in at 1,360 lbs, which is an estimated 125,000 gloves. Once collected, the gloves are bathed, cryogenically frozen, and formed into plastic pellets. Once formed, these plastic pellets will be used in the manufacturing of other plastic products. The impact is obvious, and the legacy is tangible. Because of this innovative and sustainable program, we get to reduce waste with incredible efficiency. 

So, where does Blossom come in? Our office is officially the first private practice to pilot the glove collection program! We know the importance of taking care of our environment, and we can’t wait to see how this initiative reduces waste in the Blossom office. We believe this simple practice has the power to change the culture of our dental community. It is a privilege to spearhead this program and to hopefully influence other practices to follow suit. 

As the only combined pediatric orthodontic and dental practice in the area, you know we are passionate about making services accessible and sustainable for your family. But we believe in creating a sustainable method for oral care that includes resources too. To learn more about the glove collection process, visit TerraCycle by clicking here.