Ansell Expands RightCycle™ Program to Advance PPE Sustainability and Landfill Diversion
Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN), a global leader in personal protection and safety solutions, has announced a significant expansion of its RightCycle™ Program, reaffirming its long-term commitment to sustainability and circular innovation. The enhanced program introduces new recycling and energy recovery pathways that empower industrial and scientific customers to divert used personal protective equipment (PPE) from landfills more efficiently and responsibly.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Sustainable PPE Solutions
The global industrial and scientific sectors are facing increasing pressure to reduce waste and demonstrate environmental responsibility, particularly when it comes to PPE waste management. Traditional PPE products, such as gloves, masks, and protective apparel, are essential for workplace safety but often end up in landfills due to contamination concerns and limited recycling infrastructure.
To address this challenge, Ansell has strengthened and broadened the RightCycle™ Program, originally launched in 2011 as the first large-scale PPE recycling initiative. The program’s latest expansion includes an innovative Alternative Engineered Fuels (AEFs) component, allowing used PPE from high-contamination industrial environments to be safely converted into clean-burning fuel for cement kilns. This process not only diverts waste from landfills but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a more circular and sustainable industrial ecosystem.
“Our mission is to divert Ansell-branded PPE from landfill using the most responsible methods available,” said Nick Brown, Senior Director of Ansell Services. “Whether through recycling or energy recovery, we’re helping our customers achieve their zero-waste goals in ways that are both affordable and environmentally sound.”
Responding to Industry Insights
Ansell’s decision to expand the RightCycle™ Program stems from extensive market research that highlights a sharp rise in sustainability-driven purchasing behavior. According to an Ansell-sponsored study, 96% of PPE buyers in industrial manufacturing say that sustainability influences their purchasing decisions, while 52% say it plays a significant role in determining what they buy.
These findings underscore a clear market shift: organizations across sectors are seeking not only reliable safety products but also waste management solutions that align with their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. The expanded RightCycle™ initiative directly responds to this demand, providing companies with practical, scalable options for diverting PPE waste while maintaining compliance and safety standards.
A Dual Approach: Recycling and Energy Recovery
The expanded program now features two complementary waste diversion pathways designed to address different operational needs:
- Recycling of Eligible PPE:
Cleanroom and scientific PPE items—such as gloves, masks, and apparel that are free from hazardous contamination—can be collected and recycled into new plastic products, closing the loop on material use. - Energy Recovery through AEFs:
For industrial manufacturing environments where PPE may be contaminated with oils, chemicals, or residues that make recycling difficult, the program now offers energy recovery through Alternative Engineered Fuels (AEFs). In this process, used PPE is repurposed into a clean-burning fuel that powers cement kilns, reducing the industry’s dependence on traditional fossil fuels and minimizing overall carbon impact.
“By adding Energy Recovery through AEFs to our program, we can accept even more used PPE into the program and reach our goal of diverting over 1.0 million pounds of Ansell PPE from landfills in a single year,” said Lisa Charles, RightCycle Program Leader for Ansell North America.
This dual-track system makes the RightCycle™ Program one of the most comprehensive and flexible PPE waste diversion initiatives available globally.
Expanding the Range of Eligible Products
In addition to existing product lines from Ansell’s Kimtech™ and KleenGuard™ portfolios, the expanded program now includes a wider range of PPE products such as:
- MICROFLEX™ and TouchNTuff™ branded nitrile gloves
- BioClean™ branded cleanroom gloves and apparel
- Nemesis™, Maverick™, and KleenGuard™ branded safety glasses and goggles
This broader inclusion ensures that more industries—from pharmaceutical manufacturing to heavy industry—can participate in the program and integrate sustainable waste practices into their operations.
Driving Social and Economic Impact
Beyond its environmental benefits, the RightCycle™ Program also contributes to social sustainability. Ansell partners with organizations such as the Jackson County Developmental Center (JCDC), a non-profit enterprise that provides job training and life skills development to disadvantaged workers. Through this collaboration, the program not only diverts waste but also creates meaningful employment opportunities and supports community development.
This social partnership model reflects Ansell’s holistic approach to sustainability—addressing environmental impact, supporting local economies, and promoting inclusive growth.
Over a Decade of Proven Impact
Since its launch in 2011, RightCycle™ by Ansell has established itself as a pioneering landfill diversion program for nonhazardous PPE. Over the past decade, the initiative has successfully helped customers divert more than 7 million pounds of used PPE from landfills across North America, Europe, and Asia. The new expansion marks a major milestone in Ansell’s ongoing mission to drive innovation at the intersection of safety and sustainability.
As industries worldwide work toward zero-waste and net-zero carbon goals, programs like RightCycle™ are proving that responsible waste management can coexist with operational excellence. By expanding its capabilities to include both recycling and energy recovery, Ansell is setting a new benchmark for how PPE manufacturers can lead in environmental stewardship and circular design.