Recycling Information

 

BEBio Lab Recycling Initiative

What common lab items can my local municipality recycle?

RECYCLE

polyethylene terephthalate

RECYCLE 2

hi-density polyethylene

RECYCLE 3

polyvinyl chloride

RECYCLE 4

low-denisty polyethylene

RECYCLE 5

polypropylene

RECYCLE 6

polystyrene

RECYCLE 7

other plastics

soft drink bottles, mineral water, fruit juice container, cooking oil milk jugs, cleaning agents, lanudry detergents, bleaching agents, shampoo bottles, washing and shower soaps trays for sweets, fruit, plastic packing (bubble foil) and food foils to wrap the foodstuff crushed bottles, shopping bags, highlyresistant sacks and most of the wrappings furniture, consumers, luggage, toys as well as bumpers, lining and external borders of the cars toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewellery, CD cases, vending cups inlcuding acrylic, polycarbonate, polyactic fibers, nylon, fiberglass
RECYCLE

polyethylene terephthalate

soft drink bottles, mineral water, fruit juice container, cooking oil

RECYCLE 2

hi-density polyethylene

milk jugs, cleaning agents, lanudry detergents, bleaching agents, shampoo bottles, washing and shower soaps

RECYCLE 3

polyvinyl chloride

trays for sweets, fruit, plastic packing (bubble foil) and food foils to wrap the foodstuff

RECYCLE 4

low-denisty polyethylene

crushed bottles, shopping bags, highlyresistant sacks and most of the wrappings

RECYCLE 5

polypropylene

furniture, consumers, luggage, toys as well as bumpers, lining and external borders of the cars

RECYCLE 6

polystyrene

toys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewellery, CD cases, vending cups

RECYCLE 7

other plastics

inlcuding acrylic, polycarbonate, polyactic fibers, nylon, fiberglass

 

Hard Plastic – typically Recyclable through the municipality
Hard Plastics

Plastic film - Not recyclable through the municipality
Soft Plastics

The most basic guidance for recycling is based on the chasing arrows number found on the bottom of many plastic and glass items. Items labelled with a 1 and 2 are almost always recyclable, provided they are cleaned properly. Number 5 items are generally recyclable by municipal waste management.

Items with a 3, 4, or 6 are rarely recyclable through the regular stream. However, there are many specialized services that work with labs who produce large quantities of plastic.

Please note that recyclables should not be placed in a plastic bag – this will often lead to them simply being thrown out. Put your recyclable items directly into the bin. See below for images of common lab items that can and cannot be recycled through the municipal waste stream.

Does my lab products supplier have a recycling program?

This list is not comprehensive – reach out to your lab products supplier to ask about their sustainability initiatives. Many are free!

I have an item that can’t be recycled through my municipality or my lab products supplier. What other specialized lab recycling services are available?

Check out this directory of California plastic film recyclers

Where can I find out more?