Ansell Announces 2026 Greenovation Awards for Sustainability Leadership

PPE recycling program diverts 668,000 pounds from landfill in 2025

Ansell has named 45 companies in its 2026 Greenovation Awards, recognizing facilities that diverted 668,919 pounds of used personal protective equipment from landfill in 2025. The winners participated in the RightCycle Program, Ansell’s scheme for collecting and processing used gloves, protective clothing, and other safety equipment that would otherwise be sent to waste.

The figure represents a measurable increase from previous years. In 2023, Ansell recognized 49 companies for diverting 439,227 pounds of PPE waste in 2022. Since the program started in 2011, participating businesses have diverted more than 7.8 million pounds of used equipment from disposal sites.

For UK businesses working to meet carbon reporting requirements or environmental tender criteria, the figures highlight how operational waste streams are becoming quantifiable sustainability metrics. However, the program itself is US-focused. Consequently, this matters to UK firms mainly as an indicator of emerging expectations around product stewardship and waste accountability in supply chains.

How the RightCycle scheme handles used safety equipment

RightCycle operates as a take-back program. Businesses collect used PPE on site, then send it to Ansell for processing. The company says the program accepts items that typically cannot go into standard recycling streams because of contamination or mixed materials.

Participants include manufacturing facilities, healthcare providers, and industrial operations where single-use gloves and protective gear create significant waste volumes. ETRIA Manufacturing USA Inc. was among the companies named in the 2026 awards, though Ansell did not publish detailed facility-level diversion data.

The awards serve two purposes. First, they create a public recognition mechanism for companies that use the program at scale. Second, they generate comparative data that helps Ansell demonstrate the scheme’s aggregate impact over time.

From a commercial perspective, the program addresses a growing problem. Many businesses struggle to manage PPE waste responsibly because local authorities and standard waste contractors cannot process contaminated or composite materials efficiently. Therefore, sector-specific collection schemes like RightCycle fill a gap where conventional recycling infrastructure falls short.

PPE waste management becomes a tracked sustainability metric

The increase in diverted tonnage between 2022 and 2025 suggests that more facilities are measuring and reporting their PPE disposal. This shift matters because it moves waste from an untracked operational cost to a documented environmental metric.

For businesses in the UK, this has practical implications. Many now face supply chain sustainability questions in public sector tenders, particularly under Procurement Policy Note 06/21 on carbon reduction. Consequently, demonstrating waste reduction through product stewardship programs can support tender responses and ESG disclosures.

In addition, businesses that manufacture or distribute PPE face growing expectations to offer end-of-life solutions. The Greenovation Awards illustrate how suppliers are starting to build this into their service models, creating programs that turn waste accountability into a measurable customer relationship.

The program also reflects broader changes in how industrial waste is classified and managed. Materials that were previously considered unrecyclable are now being captured in dedicated schemes. As a result, businesses have more options for diverting operational waste, but they also face more scrutiny on whether they are using those options.

What the 2026 results show about program adoption

Although the number of recognized facilities dropped slightly from 49 in 2023 to 45 in 2026, the total weight diverted increased by approximately 52%. This suggests that participating companies are either generating more PPE waste or improving their collection rates within the program.

Ansell did not publish a breakdown of waste by sector or facility type. However, the program’s focus on gloves and protective clothing indicates that the majority of participants are likely to be in manufacturing, food processing, healthcare, or laboratory environments where disposable PPE is used in volume.

The lack of detailed facility-level data makes it difficult to assess how adoption varies across industries or geographies. Nevertheless, the aggregate figures show sustained use and growing impact, which suggests the program has moved beyond pilot phase into established operational practice.

For businesses considering similar schemes, the data demonstrates that product take-back programs can achieve meaningful scale when integrated into procurement relationships. This is particularly relevant for companies that supply consumable products with no clear disposal pathway.

Implications for UK businesses managing industrial waste

While RightCycle operates in the United States, the underlying challenge applies equally in the UK. Businesses here generate significant volumes of single-use PPE, particularly in sectors such as food production, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Most of this material goes to landfill or incineration because it is contaminated, made from mixed polymers, or otherwise unsuitable for standard recycling.

UK environmental regulations are tightening. The Environment Act 2021 introduces extended producer responsibility for packaging, and similar principles are being discussed for other product categories. In addition, businesses that report under the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting framework must disclose emissions from waste disposal in some circumstances.

Moreover, public sector buyers increasingly require suppliers to demonstrate waste reduction in tender submissions. PPN 06/21 mandates carbon reduction plans for contracts above £5 million, and waste diversion can form part of that evidence. Therefore, businesses that can quantify their disposal impact through supplier take-back schemes may have an advantage in competitive procurement.

Several UK companies are developing equivalent programs for industrial consumables. For example, some packaging suppliers now offer collection services for used shrink wrap and pallet film. Similarly, uniform and workwear providers have started to operate closed-loop schemes where old garments are returned and reprocessed.

The commercial logic is straightforward. Businesses want to reduce waste costs, meet regulatory requirements, and demonstrate environmental responsibility. Suppliers that can offer take-back services create a point of differentiation and build stronger customer relationships. As a result, product stewardship is shifting from a niche concern to a standard part of supply chain management.

Key details about the 2026 Greenovation Awards

• Ansell recognized 45 facilities for diverting 668,919 pounds of PPE waste from landfill in 2025 through the RightCycle Program.
• The program has diverted more than 7.8 million pounds of used protective equipment since it started in 2011.
• Total waste diverted increased by approximately 52% compared with the 439,227 pounds diverted by 49 companies in 2022.
• ETRIA Manufacturing USA Inc. was among the companies named in the 2026 awards, though detailed facility data was not published.
• The awards recognize customers that use Ansell’s take-back scheme to manage used gloves, protective clothing, and related safety equipment.

What businesses should consider about PPE disposal and product stewardship

If your business uses significant volumes of disposable PPE, it is worth reviewing how that material is currently handled. Many companies assume that contaminated or mixed-material items cannot be recycled, so they default to general waste. However, supplier-led take-back programs are becoming more common, particularly for gloves, protective garments, and packaging.

Start by quantifying your PPE waste. Most businesses do not track this separately from general operational waste, so the first step is understanding volume and type. This data is useful for internal cost management, but it also supports carbon reporting and tender submissions where waste diversion is a required metric.

Next, ask your PPE suppliers whether they offer collection or recycling services. Some manufacturers operate schemes similar to RightCycle, while others work with third-party processors. In addition, check whether your waste contractor can handle specific materials through segregated streams rather than general disposal.

For companies with public sector contracts, demonstrating waste reduction through product stewardship programs can strengthen your carbon reduction plan under PPN 06/21. Buyers are increasingly looking for evidence of circular practices in supply chains, and documented diversion from landfill provides clear, verifiable data.

It is also worth considering the broader direction of UK waste policy. Extended producer responsibility is expanding beyond packaging, and businesses that manufacture or import consumable products may face future obligations to fund end-of-life management. Therefore, companies that establish take-back relationships now will be better positioned when regulatory requirements increase.

Finally, remember that waste reduction has direct cost benefits. Landfill and incineration fees are rising, and segregating high-volume waste streams can reduce disposal costs. In some cases, suppliers may offer rebates or credits for returned materials, particularly if the waste stream is clean and consistent.

Where to find guidance on waste reporting and product stewardship

The UK government provides detailed guidance on waste classification and disposal obligations through its waste legislation and regulatory guidance pages. These cover everything from duty of care requirements to hazardous waste rules and producer responsibility schemes.

For businesses that need to report carbon emissions from waste, the government’s environmental reporting guidelines explain how to calculate and disclose emissions under SECR and other frameworks. In addition, the Environment Agency publishes guidance on waste environmental permits for businesses that store, treat, or dispose of industrial waste on site.

IEMA, the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, offers practical resources on waste reduction and net-zero planning for businesses. Their guidance covers how to identify material waste streams and build reduction targets into environmental management systems.

If your business needs support with carbon reporting, waste tracking, or environmental compliance, we can help you understand your obligations and build systems that meet regulatory and tender requirements. Similarly, SBS Academy offers training on sustainability reporting and circular economy practices for teams that need to develop internal capability.