When protecting oneself against the spread of infection, we have to admit that latex gloves are pretty darn effective. That’s perhaps why they have exploded in popularity, currently being utilized in various settings such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, and even in some homes.
And while we all know the safe way to wear these gloves, not many know the proper way to dispose of them. Many people assume that it’s okay to flush latex gloves down the toilet, but is that really the case? Well, let’s take a closer look at latex gloves and find out if it’s safe to flush them down the toilet.
Can You Flush Latex Down The Toilet?
Unfortunately, you cannot flush latex gloves down the toilet. Latex gloves are designed to be durable and long-lasting, and that means they are also not meant for the journey through your home’s plumbing system.
To begin with, the safe disposal of protective gloves is just as essential as using the gloves in the first place. Improper discarding of gloves can spread infection, especially after they pick up bacteria and other contaminants during use.
For that reason, it’s always wise to ensure that you pay attention to how you go about getting rid of your latex gloves after they have served their purpose.
Fortunately, there’s at least a way of disposing of latex gloves safely. But again, it turns out that this way isn’t flushing them down the toilet.
You see, most latex gloves won’t break down. And even the few that do, it takes them a lot of time. With that said, latex gloves just aren’t the kind of material you’ll want to flush down the toilet.
In addition, latex gloves usually contain ammonia and tetramethyl thiuram disulfide to keep them from decomposition by bacteria. That’s a nice feature, especially for their purpose, but not for your pipes.
The fact that bacteria won’t break latex gloves down means they will remain intact as they travel through your pipes, which isn’t the best news for your plumbing system.
And if you think about it, it only makes sense that flushing latex gloves down the toilet would be a bad idea. After all, these gloves are designed to be durable and long-lasting.
So if they can stand up to the wear and tear of everyday use, do you really think they’ll disintegrate in your pipes?
Of course not!
Are Disposable Gloves Flushable?
Unfortunately, disposable gloves aren’t flushable. Most latex gloves won’t break down in the water, which means they can easily clog your pipes. As such, always find a safer way to get rid of your disposable gloves other than flushing them into your toilet’s sewer system.
You see, there’s a difference between being disposable and flushable. Something can be disposable, but that doesn’t make it flushable.
In fact, most disposable items aren’t flushable simply because these items are usually made of materials that can clog your pipes.
Speaking of disposable gloves, they are either made of latex, nitrile, or vinyl. Unfortunately, neither of these materials will break down easily in water, so they are not flushable.
So yes, avoid flushing down your throw-away gloves. While these pieces of protective gear are what they say, they’re not flushable. As such, always find an alternative way to dispose of them other than flushing them down your toilet system.
And just so you know – that also applies to any other “disposable” item you have. Always be mindful of what you’re flushing into your sewer system, and that way, you’ll keep your toilet and pipes clog-free.
Can You Flush a Mask?
Much like latex gloves, you cannot flush a mask down the toilet. Masks are usually made of durable materials that won’t break down easily like tissue paper when flushed down the toilet.
The corona pandemic has resulted in an increased demand for face masks. However, with this increased demand also comes the increased chances of people flushing their used masks down the toilet.
While it’s tempting to flush your used mask and be done with it, you have to resist the urge to do so. Remember, just because something is disposable doesn’t mean it’s flushable.
And much like latex gloves, the durable materials of the disposable mask won’t break down quickly when they come into contact with water. That means when you flush your face mask down your toilet, what you are actually doing is inviting trouble in your sewer system and household plumbing.
Again, keep in mind that the design of face masks doesn’t allow the tiniest microbes to pass through, leave alone water. In fact, that’s the whole point of wearing them in the first place. So, it only makes sense that these masks can clog your pipes when flushed.
And once your pipes are clogged, it’ll be difficult and expensive to fix the issue. So, instead of flushing your used mask, find a better way to dispose of it.
Are Latex Gloves Biodegradable?
The answer here can either be a yes or a no. It all depends on the type of latex we are talking about here. Organic latex is biodegradable. However, natural latex and synthetic latex aren’t.
When we say that something is biodegradable, we mean that bacteria or other living organisms can decompose it. That’s a healthy process, especially for human health and the environment’s safety.
On the other hand, when something is non-biodegradable, it means that any living organism can’t break it down. As such, this type of item can linger in the environment for decades.
The good news is that organic latex gloves are biodegradable. So, if you’re using gloves made of organic latex, you can be assured that they will eventually decompose and won’t cause as much harm to the environment as compared to other types.
On the other hand, natural and synthetic latex gloves are not biodegradable. Hence, gloves featuring any of these two materials will not biodegrade at all.
So, what brings this difference?
Well, you could be wondering. After all, they all come from latex. But believe me, there’s a big difference between the various types of latex gloves.
You see, organic and natural latex all come from trees. However, the trees aren’t planted the same way. As for trees intended for organic latex, they follow strict guidelines set by organic certification programs, and that includes not using any harmful chemicals or pesticides.
In contrast, the trees used for natural latex don’t follow these guidelines. Instead, they are farmed using harmful chemicals and pesticides, and that’s where the difference begins.
Once harvested, natural latex is combined with some acids to make it clump for easy rolling into sheets. It’s then pre vulcanized and treated with more chemicals, altering the natural properties of latex and making it non-biodegradable.
As for organic latex, it doesn’t use any chemicals during production. As such, unlike natural latex, it doesn’t lose its biodegradability properties in the process.
Speaking of synthetic latex, it comes from petroleum products. And as we all know, petroleum products are not biodegradable. In fact, they’re one of the most polluting materials on the planet.
So yes, as much as they all bear “latex” in their name, there’s a big difference between organic, natural, and synthetic latex gloves. And that difference is in their biodegradability.
Even so, that doesn’t make organic gloves any safer for flushing down the toilet. While they’ll break down with time, don’t expect that to happen in a few weeks or months, so it’s still best to avoid flushing them down the toilet.
Can Latex Gloves Be Recycled?
Yes, you can recycle latex gloves. However, that’s only viable if the gloves don’t contain any contaminants. Otherwise, most recycling centers won’t accept them.
We all use gloves to keep off germs, bacteria, and other harmful contaminants, and that’s a good thing. However, these gloves can get contaminated during use, making them unsafe.
For example, if you’ve been using them to handle raw meat, there’s a good chance they could pick up in bacteria. The same goes for if you’ve been using them to handle chemicals or other hazardous materials.
In such cases, it’s best to dispose of the gloves in the trash rather than recycle them. Most recycling centers have strict guidelines for what can and can’t be recycled. And contaminated gloves usually don’t make the cut.
Are Latex Gloves Flammable?
While the latex material isn’t flammable per se, the chemicals used in some latex gloves can be. Hence, it’s always best to operate far from an open flame when using latex gloves.
Some latex gloves go through a process known as chlorination, which makes the gloves more resistant to bacteria and less likely to cause latex allergy. However, one of the chemicals used in this process is chloroform, which is highly flammable.
So, while latex gloves aren’t flammable on their own, some of the chemicals used in their production can be. And that’s why it’s always best to keep them away from open flames.
Bottom Line
As much as latex gloves are helpful, they should never go down your toilet. Flushing them down the toilet can clog your pipes, pollute the environment, and cause issues with your home plumbing system.
Instead of flushing them, consider disposing of them in the trash after use. In the garbage, latex gloves are much better than ending up in our waterways and polluting the environment.