A large Midwest manufacturer needed a better way to manage hearing protection across its facilities. With more than 1,300 employees, the new safety manager was focused on reducing waste, simplifying PPE distribution, and improving compliance. In searching for new solutions through a distribution partner, he discovered HexArmor’s Turn2® earplug dispenser.

The challenge: Too much waste in the workplace

For years, workers relied on individually packaged earplugs. While easy to distribute, this system created significant day-to-day waste and made standardization nearly impossible. The company was restricted from purchasing pre-filled dispensers, which meant they couldn't consider most ready-to-use options on the market, so plastic wrappers piled up around workstations, and procurement costs fluctuated.

The new safety manager wanted to centralize hearing protection without adding administrative burden or frustration for employees. It was time for something different.

The solution: A dispenser that finally fit their program

During this time, our distribution partner was helping the facility roll out glove-vending solutions across the production floor. Through this partnership, the safety manager was able to learn about the Turn2® magnetic and refillable earplug dispenser - and he immediately saw the benefit. The magnetic backing made it easy to mount dispensers directly onto metal surfaces across the production floor for quick, convenient access.

The Turn2® dispenser doesn’t rely on individual packaging and doesn’t need to be thrown away when the earplugs run out. It's refillable, reusable, and straightforward – exactly what their current program was missing.

Unlike traditional dispensers, Turn2® is designed to dispense exactly two earplugs per turn, helping prevent excess product from falling out and reducing unnecessary waste at the source.

• Quick-turn, controlled release system delivers only one plug with each turn
• Prevents several pairs from being dispensed at once, avoiding spills, dirty or wasted product, and potential contamination
• Magnetic option available for flexible use on all magnetic surfaces
• Includes collecting tray to catch earplugs
• Holds up to 600 pairs of safeComm® and accuFit® earplugs and 800 pairs of simpleFit® earplugs (also compatible with non-HexArmor® brands)
• Standard and magnetic mounting options available
• Earplugs sold separately

With the ability to install, refill, and maintain each unit on-site, the safety team committed to implementing Turn2® dispensers throughout the production floor, ensuring every employee had consistent access to hearing protection.

The results: Less waste, higher compliance, and a stronger safety program

The change was immediate – workers didn’t have to search for the earplugs or throw away extra pairs; they simply found an easy-to-locate dispenser, twisted, and grabbed what they needed.

The company saw:

• A measurable reduction in plastic waste
• Higher compliance, especially as hearing protection became mandatory company-wide
• Better hearing standardization, improving safety culture, and lowering frustration
• Consistent access to earplugs, which supported the new director’s compliance goals

And perhaps most telling: after seeing how well Turn2® worked, the company moved forward with implementing HexArmor’s accuFit® disposable earplugs into their safety program to standardize their hearing protection across the company.accuFit® disposable earplugs are unique, with three different sizes allowing you to find your ideal fit with premium foam construction for all-day, low-pressure comfort and compliance.

This was more than solving a packaging problem; it was the first step in modernizing how the organization protected its workforce.

See the Turn2® refillable earplug dispenser