Move away from vinyl/PVC
December 26, 2025
Trend snapshot
Across food handling and light industrial operations, procurement teams are increasingly shifting away from PVC/vinyl gloves toward alternative materials. The change is not only about performance preferences, it’s also about additives and compliance expectations.
What’s driving the shift
Additive scrutiny (phthalates and other plasticizers)
FDA notes that ortho-phthalates (“phthalates”) are commonly used as plasticizers in PVC/vinyl to make it flexible. As toxicological and exposure information has evolved, regulators and buyers have become more cautious about unnecessary additive exposure.
State restrictions that explicitly include disposable gloves
Maine’s food packaging requirements restrict intentionally introduced phthalates in food packaging sold in Maine, and their definition of food packaging includes plastic disposable gloves. This type of policy language pushes glove buyers to ask harder questions about material formulation and compliance.
“Simplify the chemistry” procurement
Many organizations now try to reduce the number of product types and chemical profiles they manage. Moving away from PVC/vinyl can be part of a broader “materials simplification” approach used in EHS and green purchasing programs.
What this means for glove selection
Use application-first selection: match barrier needs, dexterity, and durability to the task.
For regulated food-service channels, be ready to discuss additives and state-by-state compliance in plain language.
Keep documentation simple: a one-page material and compliance summary for each glove SKU.
Practical transition plan
Identify where vinyl/PVC gloves are used today (food service, jan/sanitation, general handling).
For each use, list the “must-have” requirements (dexterity, touch, allergen concerns, chemical splash, etc.).
Pilot alternatives with a small group and capture feedback (fit, change frequency, comfort).
Update purchasing specs and supplier documentation requirements.
“Because PVC/vinyl gloves often rely on plasticizers and because some state food-packaging rules include disposable gloves, many facilities are reviewing whether PVC/vinyl is still the best default choice for their tasks.”
- The Glove Academy Team