At United Resources, we believe that safety comes first. But often, compromises are made regarding environmental friendliness. Due to great demand for quality PPE, more synthetic materials and factory emissions are involved in their production year after year. This makes it difficult to care for the environment in the same way we care for our workers.
That’s why we are proud to support and promote uvex’s protecting planet initiative: to reduce environmental impact without compromising performance, safety, or comfort.
uvex believes that protecting people should extend to protecting the planet we all share. Through the protecting planet initiative, uvex takes a holistic, transparent approach to sustainability, embedding environmental responsibility into every stage, from product development to store shelves.
The protecting planet initiative is built on four clear pillars: CO₂ footprint, materials, packaging, and circularity.
1. Reducing the CO₂ Footprint
The first step towards sustainability is understanding how much CO₂ is produced during manufacturing. An excess of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere leads to global warming, causing sea levels to rise and ecological imbalance. To address this, uvex measures and actively reduces the carbon footprint of its products by optimising its manufacturing processes, increasing energy efficiency, and optimising transport routes to reduce emissions.
An example is uvex’s phynomic XG gloves. Manufactured in uvex’s own carbon-reduced facilities, this product line benefits from streamlined production processes that minimise energy consumption and emissions. For customers, this means a high-performance glove with a lower environmental footprint per unit, helping organisations support sustainability goals without altering existing workflows.
2. Responsible Materials Selection
Sustainability starts with materials, which is why uvex prioritises skin-friendly, resource-efficient, and durable materials that extend product life and reduce waste.
Products in the protecting planet series use carefully selected coating and liner materials that remain protective while being environmentally-friendly. These include materials that are easily compostable by the end user or materials that are made from recycled goods. Workers benefit while enjoying PPE that continues to meet performance requirements.
3. Smarter, Reduced Packaging
Packaging plays a significant role in waste generation. Think of the many layers of plastic we must sift through to open just one package. uvex actively reduces packaging volume, eliminates unnecessary plastics, and increases the use of recyclable materials across its product range.
For gloves such as the phynomic XG, packaging is designed to be functional, minimal, and recyclable, supporting efficient logistics while reducing disposal burden at site level. The benefits? Less packaging waste on-site, easier disposal, and alignment with internal waste reduction targets: particularly important for high-consumption PPE items.
4. Circularity and Product Longevity
Circularity is about extending product life and reducing the need for replacement. uvex designs gloves that are durable, washable, and comfortable enough to be worn correctly for longer, reducing overall consumption. phynomic XG gloves sport robust construction and high abrasion resistance allow for extended use cycles. Combined with excellent wearer comfort, this reduces glove turnover and waste generation over time. This means fewer glove changes, lower total cost of ownership, and reduced environmental impact across the product’s lifecycle.
Sustainability Without Compromise
The protecting planet initiative demonstrates that sustainability and safety are not opposing goals. Through thoughtful design, responsible sourcing, and transparent processes, uvex proves that protecting people and protecting the planet can, and should, go hand in hand.
At United Resources, we work closely with clients to identify PPE solutions that meet both operational and environmental objectives. If you would like to learn more about uvex’s protecting planet initiative or explore sustainable PPE options for your workplace, our team will be glad to support you.
