From production to disposal: Life cycle assessment of nitrile gloves and their environmental impact

Kasthuri, Sugumaran (2026) From production to disposal: Life cycle assessment of nitrile gloves and their environmental impact. Master dissertation/thesis, UTAR.

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Abstract

The extensive reliance on disposable nitrile gloves has intensified concerns regarding their environmental footprint, particularly in major manufacturing hubs such as Malaysia. This research conducts a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of non-sterile, powder-free nitrile gloves produced in Kamunting, Perak, utilizing primary operational data gathered over a five-month period. The analysis was performed in openLCA with the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) 2016 methodology, encompassing eighteen impact categories from raw material extraction through end-of-life incineration. Findings reveal that the production phase is the predominant source of environmental burdens, driven by the fossil-based composition of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and substantial electricity and natural gas usage. Key impact categories identified include fossil resource depletion, marine and terrestrial ecotoxicity, global warming, and human non-carcinogenic toxicity. A Monte Carlo simulation with 5,000 iterations indicated low to moderate uncertainty, affirming the robustness of the model. Overall, the study underscores the importance of advancing energy efficiency and innovating sustainable glove materials to mitigate environmental impacts across the industry.

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