As the current plastic waste crisis has prompted many to adapt and develop packaging and single-use items that contain less to no plastic, there are instances where a reasonable replacement isn’t on the horizon, yet our need for them continues. In the case of plastic gloves used for handling food, not utilizing them puts the public at risk for dangerous and contagious foodborne illnesses making it a public health concern.

People getting sick from the mishandling of food is something Chipotle understands better than most fast-food chains. Nonetheless, the quick-serve burrito chain wanted to find a way to reduce the environmental impact of their plastic glove use and has come up with a way to turn those gloves into the trash bin liners they use, creating a closed-loop for some of their discarded plastic.