Many scientific facilities are directing their scientists to utilize lab supplier recycling programs to help meet their sustainability goals. The following list, with links, is meant to be a quick reference. It may be incomplete. Please send us the name of any other recycling program that you know of, and we will update this list.
Ideal, environmentally friendly laboratory products, that are designed for reuse and green disposal are not always available for every type of lab work. The reality is that life science work depends on disposable plastics and complex electronic devices. Unfortunately, many of these consumables/disposables are not accepted into regular recycling streams. These supplier recycling programs are commendable since they step up and provide ideal 'end-of-life' scenarios.
Please keep in mind that case studies have shown that clear signage and point-of-use collections help to ensure recycling success. Follow the simple program instructions to avoid any contamination risks. Thank you for your efforts at waste diversion!
1. Corning Recycles: (Corporate sponsored - completely free to end users!)
Corning®, Falcon®, or Axygen® product packaging including Pipet tip racks,* lids,* plastic bags, and shrinkwrap, Centrifuge Tube plastic bags and styrofoam racks, Serological pipet plastic bags for cell culture wrappers,** paper/plastic wrappers, and plastic bags for cell culture dishes, plates, and flasks
FIVE STARS to Corning's program since it's free to use!
2. Fisher Scientific:
3. Kimberly Clark Professionals:
NEB operates the longest-running free shipping box recycling program, which diverts cardboard and polystyrene away from landfills.
6. STARLAB:
Both the TipOne® pipette tip system racks and Robotic tip racks can be recycled using STARLAB‘s free recycling collection service. STARLAB can set up a recycling service purely for your robotic tip racks, or they can be collected in the same recycling bags and crates with your TipOne® recycling. Whatever is easier for you!
7. Promega:
Styrofoam send-back program
8. Thermo Fisher: These Ewaste recycling programs ensure zero landfill, and no export.
9. Thomas Scientific:
ez CODTM Recycling Service for Mercury based Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) vials.
10. VWR:
Returnable Container Advantage Program (ReCAP) Sealed 200L stainless steel containers, filled with BDH high-purity Acetonitrile or Methanol.
VWR® Garment Recycling Solution. All brands of disposable apparel are accepted as long as they are clean and do not harbor any contaminants
