4 Reasons Why You Should Trust SHOWA GreenCircle-Certified Products

These days, many products claim to be “environmentally friendly,” “sustainable,” and/or “eco-aware.” But how can a consumer know if environmental claims are truly sound and based on real facts?

In 2009, eco-conscious business partners Tara and Tad Radzinski founded GreenCircle Certified, an industry organization that aims to rigorously evaluate and certify ecological product and operations claims made by manufacturers and suppliers. This certification enables consumers and regulators to trust that goods and processes are helpful for the environment while confirming that companies and brands are being honest, transparent, and accurate in relation to their claims of environmental protection.

In 2022, Amazon.com began including GreenCircle certification in its Climate Pledge Friendly program to make it easier for consumers to learn about and shop for sustainable products. Specifically, the GreenCircle certifications that are included in Climate Pledge Friendly are those that reflect high scores in Recycled Content (a product must contain at least 50 percent recycled content to qualify), Energy Savings (a product must meet a threshold of 10 percent energy savings to qualify), and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Optimization.

Since 2009, GreenCircle has issued more than 2,000 product, operations, and multi-attribute certifications verifying sustainability claims. Some of these certifications have been granted to industrial glove maker SHOWA Group. Its products include the world’s first nitrile glove, introduced in 1992, and the world’s first biodegradable single-use glove, introduced in 2012.

SHOWA leverages the most advanced technological developments while placing a special emphasis on innovation and creativity. It is fully committed to the comprehensive fabrication of hand protection products from start to finish. The company has complete control over its industrial processes, giving it a clear advantage over competitors. SHOWA manages every stage of its manufacturing, developing all of its own equipment, yarns, coatings, polymers, designs, and hand forms. It uses the highest-quality components at every level of production.

For SHOWA, GreenCircle certification safeguards:

Consumer Trust

SHOWA products have earned the trust of consumers by being GreenCircle-certified starting in 2021 and extending to the present day. GreenCircle and Amazon actively promote GreenCircle certification as a way for consumers to verify the accuracy of SHOWA’s product sustainability claims.

Continuous Maintenance of Product Quality

GreenCircle certification is only valid for a limited time—one year, to be exact. After this period, certification must be renewed by each company or brand that applies for it. For SHOWA, this spurs a continuous drive to ensure quality control and maintain industry-leading standards.

Proof of Eco-Friendly Claims

GreenCircle certification is proof that a company’s eco-friendly product, operations, and multi-attribute claims have been verified as legitimate. Certification is indicated by the blue and green "GreenCircle Certified" logo.

Commitment of SHOWA to Environmental Protection

When consumers know that products and operations are GreenCircle-certified, they can feel confident that a company is upholding its mission of eco-consciousness and minimizing its environmental impact. When buying certified products, consumers help these businesses achieve such goals more quickly while following through on their own personal goals of sustainability.

The following SHOWA gloves have achieved GreenCircle certification:

Reusable gloves

SHOWA 728

These flexible biodegradable gloves feature extra bisque grips to make wet work with harmful substances like acids and solvents both easier and safer. Unsupported, 100% nitrile, and incorporating Eco Best Technology®, they’re ideal for work with harsh chemicals. They are chemical-, acid-, and water-resistant. SHOWA 728 reusable gloves are GreenCircle-certified to achieve 82 percent biodegradation in 386 days.

SHOWA 731

These 100% nitrile, chemical-resistant, and biodegradable gloves are highly suitable for working with dangerous substances, such as solvents and acids. Flexible, reusable, strong, and featuring Eco Best Technology®, they’re water-resistant, acid-resistant, and offer a bisque grip. This allows for tactile precision, even when users operate in wet environments. SHOWA 731 gloves are GreenCircle-certified to have shown 82% biodegradation within 386 days.

SHOWA NSK24

Incorporating Eco Best Technology and a cotton liner to wick away moisture, these watertight 100 percent nitrile gloves provide protection from acids, oils, and solvents. Biodegradable and latex-free, they feature a rough grip and extra forearm protection. The double nitrile coating offers superior chemical, oil, hydrocarbon, and abrasion resistance for the user’s hand and arm. SHOWA NSK24 flexible gloves are GreenCircle-certified to show 82% biodegradation in 386 days.

SHOWA 707D

Form-fitting, 100% nitrile, and featuring a rolled cuff and embossed grip, these impermeable biodegradable gloves are both disposable and resistant to chemicals. In addition, they’re oil-, hydrocarbon-, water-, and abrasion-resistant. They make use of Eco Best Technology and are easy to put on and take off. They’re the perfect gloves for jobs involving chemical hazards where tactility and optimum comfort are high priorities. SHOWA 707D gloves have been GreenCircle-certified to reach 82 percent biodegradation within 386 days.

SHOWA 707FL

Ergonomic, chlorinated, and incorporating a flocked cotton liner and rolled cuff, these fully coated nitrile workwear gloves are impermeable and biodegradable. They're easy to put on and take off. Featuring Eco Best Technology, they are also chemical-, oil-, hydrocarbon-, water-, and abrasion-resistant. This makes them ideal for jobs involving contact with chemical hazards where tactility and maximum comfort are sought. SHOWA 707FL gloves are GreenCircle-certified to achieve 82% biodegradation in 386 days.

SHOWA 707HVO

Lightweight, fluorescent in color, and featuring a rolled cuff, these biodegradable chlorinated gloves are highly tactile. The eco-friendly gloves protect users from chemicals, grease, and abrasion. Form-fitting, unlined, and unsupported, they’re water-resistant and make use of Eco Best Technology®. They are easy to put on and take off. These gloves are ideal for use in laboratories and food preparation zones. SHOWA 707HVO gloves are GreenCircle-certified to reach 82 percent biodegradation in only 386 days.

Disposable gloves

SHOWA 6110PF

Lightweight, ergonomic, and incorporating Eco Best Technology®, these biodegradable single-use gloves are waterproof, powder-free, and latex-free. Versatile, unsupported, and boasting textured fingertips, they provide extreme comfort during long periods of maintenance or general repair work. The same goes for food preparation and laboratory purposes. SHOWA 6110PF disposable gloves are GreenCircle-certified to achieve 82% biodegradation within 386 days.

SHOWA 6112PF

Form-fitting, water-resistant, and latex-free, these biodegradable disposable gloves feature 4 mil/0.10 mm-thick nitrile and textured fingertips. Unsupported, lightweight, and powder-free, they incorporate Eco Best Technology® to deliver superior comfort in food preparation, laboratory use, and maintenance or general repair work. SHOWA 6112PF single-use gloves are GreenCircle-certified to have shown 82 percent biodegradation in just 386 days.

SHOWA 7500PF

Incorporating a textured finish and Eco Best Technology®, these flexible 100% nitrile gloves are disposable and biodegradable. They're both silicone- and latex-free. Ergonomic and incorporating textured fingertips and a rolled cuff, these gloves increase dexterity, keep dirt out, and make wet work safer and easier. SHOWA 7500PF gloves are GreenCircle-certified to show 82% biodegradation in 386 days.

SHOWA 7502PF

Powder-, latex-, and accelerator-free, these biodegradable ambidextrous gloves were designed for users with sensitive skin. They feature textured fingertips and Eco Best Technology®. The 2.5 mil/0.06 mm-thick nitrile affords excellent protection from a wide range of chemical hazards. SHOWA 7502PF disposable gloves are GreenCircle-certified to reach 82 percent biodegradation within 386 days.

SHOWA 7005PF

Flexible, disposable, and biodegradable, the 7005PF has the distinction of being the industry’s first nitrile glove. Both powder- and natural rubber-free, this glove provides a rolled cuff, increases dexterity, and features Eco Best Technology®. SHOWA 7005PF gloves are GreenCircle-certified to have shown 82% biodegradation in 386 days.

SHOWA 8005PF

Silicone-free, latex-free, and featuring a rolled cuff, these 100% nitrile gloves are conveniently biodegradable. They're also easy to put on and take off. Chlorinated, unsupported, and lightweight, they incorporate Eco Best Technology® and are designed for tactility and comfort, with increased protection for ambidextrous users. SHOWA 8005PF single-use gloves have been certified by GreenCircle to achieve 82 percent biodegradation within 386 days.

SHOWA M7005PF

Flexible, disposable, and biodegradable, SHOWA M7005PF latex-free gloves are an FDA Class 1 Medical Device designed to protect medical examiners and patients from contamination. They incorporate textured fingertips, a rolled cuff, and Eco Best Technology®. SHOWA M7005PF gloves are GreenCircle-certified to attain 82 percent biodegradation within 386 days.

SHOWA 6005PF

Flexible, latex-free, and biodegradable, the SHOWA M7005PF is the world’s first disposable 100% nitrile glove. Its textured fingertips, rolled cuff, powder-free lining, and Eco Best Technology® deliver unmatched performance and dexterity with a reduced risk of allergic reactions. Designed to be quickly removable in the event of an emergency break, this glove is FDA-compliant for food contact. SHOWA 6005PF gloves are GreenCircle-certified to have achieved 82% biodegradation in 386 days.

SHOWA M6005PF

Powder-free, 100% nitrile, and affording excellent tensile strength, these medical/police gloves are a Class 1 Medical Device ideal for examinations, emergency services, investigations, and laboratory use. With stretchable durability and a smooth grip, they provide superior protection against viruses, blood, fungi, and bacteria. SHOWA M6005PF gloves are GreenCircle-certified to attain 82 percent biodegradation within 386 days.

GreenCircle certification guarantees that SHOWA gloves meet environmental standards for eco-friendliness and sustainability. To view SHOWA’s GreenCircle certificates, click on the “GreenCircle Certificate” PDF link in the Downloads section of any SHOWA glove product page or consult the GreenCircle Certified product database. You can trust SHOWA Group to make the world a greener, more livable place.

Previously Featured on SHOWA's blog.

Go to MSCDirect.com to see a selection of SHOWA's chemical-resistant nitrile gloves.