How Safety Mate Is Reducing Waste in PPE and Packaging

Discover how Safety Mate is driving sustainable PPE by rethinking packaging and forging strong industry partnerships.

Partnering with Brands That Prioritise Sustainability

Safety Mate’s commitment goes beyond its own operations. It actively partners with forward-thinking manufacturers like NXG, Riley, and SW Safety, all of whom are deeply invested in sustainable transformation.

NXG, for example, has invested over $200 million into renewable energy and recycling at its glove manufacturing facilities. Their Greentek™ range uses up to 50% recycled PET yarn, turning landfill-bound bottles into premium hand protection. This switch reduces carbon emissions by 23% compared to virgin materials and is backed by Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and Recycled 100 Claim Standard certifications.

Rethinking Eyewear and Packaging to Eliminate Plastic Waste

Safety Mate is taking direct action to reduce plastic waste in its packaging. All vend-ready products now arrive wrapped in recycled paper rather than single-use plastic, slashing unnecessary waste at the distribution stage.

For individual eyewear items like the Riley Stream Evo™ Eco and Navigator X, traditional plastic blister packs have been replaced with reusable microfibre pouches made entirely from recycled materials. This shift eliminates single-use plastic and gives customers a more durable, reusable storage option.

The Navigator X goes even further, using bio-based castor bean materials in the frame construction and shipping without any plastic packaging. The Stream Evo™ Eco Black Dog Glasses add social value too with $0.50 from each sale being donated to the Black Dog Institute, supporting mental health awareness and research.

Smarter Materials, Lower Impact

Safety Mate’s glove line-up showcases the benefits of smart material choices. The A-5139 Greentek™ Air Gloves are carbon neutral and made with over 50% recycled plastic — the equivalent of two plastic bottles per pair. Each pair of these gloves are when produced, results in 15 grams less CO₂ emissions compared to the previous design, showing how small improvements in manufacturing can lead to significant environmental gains across large supply chains.

A-5139 Greentek™ Air Gloves

C-5133GT Cut D Hi-Vis Black Dog Gloves

C-8132GT Cut D Lite Gloves

Meanwhile, the C-5133GT Cut D Hi-Vis Black Dog Gloves combine safety with purpose — donating $1 per pair sold to the Black Dog Institute, a mental health charity. The C-8132GT Cut D Lite Gloves feature in-house NXG™ yarn with 9g CO₂ savings per pair, offering breathable comfort and durability in a lightweight general-purpose glove.

Biodegradable and Recyclable Innovation

Safety Mate’s glove partners also focus on end-of-life impacts. Disposable gloves like the PowerForm® S6 and Megaman® Powder-Free Gloves feature EcoTek® Biodegradability Technology, which accelerates breakdown in landfills without compromising performance.

Supplying Safety Sustainably

Through its packaging upgrades, material innovation, and partnerships with sustainability-first brands, Safety Mate is working towards a more sustainable supply chain. From their gloves to glasses, sustainability is being built in from the ground up.

Want to see how ATOM’s partners like Safety Mate are rethinking sustainability in safety? Browse Safety Mate's full sustainable range or download our brochure below to learn more.