Welsh NHS campaign cuts disposable glove use by 4 million, saving money and plastic waste

An NHS campaign in Wales reduced disposable glove usage by four million pairs in one year, saving over 100,000 pounds and cutting plastic waste. The initiative by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board focused on avoiding non-sterile gloves when not clinically needed, promoting hand hygiene instead. A pilot in the Adult Critical Care unit cut glove use by 326,000 pairs, preventing 1.1 tonnes of clinical waste. The program expanded across hospitals with staff feedback, resulting in 3.3 million fewer gloves ordered and carbon savings equivalent to 12 return flights from London to Perth. The project won NHS Wales sustainability awards and is being adopted more widely.