Recycling Information
BEBio Lab Recycling Initiative
What common lab items can my local municipality recycle?
polyethylene terephthalate |
hi-density polyethylene |
polyvinyl chloride |
low-denisty polyethylene |
polypropylene |
polystyrene |
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 |
polyethylene terephthalatesoft drink bottles, mineral water, fruit juice container, cooking oil |
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hi-density polyethylenemilk jugs, cleaning agents, lanudry detergents, bleaching agents, shampoo bottles, washing and shower soaps |
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polyvinyl chloridetrays for sweets, fruit, plastic packing (bubble foil) and food foils to wrap the foodstuff |
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low-denisty polyethylenecrushed bottles, shopping bags, highlyresistant sacks and most of the wrappings |
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polypropylenefurniture, consumers, luggage, toys as well as bumpers, lining and external borders of the cars |
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polystyrenetoys, hard packing, refrigerator trays, cosmetic bags, costume jewellery, CD cases, vending cups |
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other plasticsinlcuding acrylic, polycarbonate, polyactic fibers, nylon, fiberglass |
Hard Plastic – typically Recyclable through the municipality
Plastic film - Not recyclable through the municipality
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?
- Recycle SeqStudio Cartride and Ion Chip at ThermoFisher
- Recycle COD vials at Thomas Scientific
- Recycle lab garments and 200L BDH high-purity Acetonitrile or Methanol containers at VWR
- Recycle pipet tips, protective eyewear, and disposable gloves at TerraCycle
- Recycle pipet tip boxes at Fisherbrand
- Recycle borosilicate glass at Strategic Materials
Check out this directory of California plastic film recyclers
Where can I find out more?
- Resources for recycling healthcare plastics at the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council
- Resources from the excellent Lab Conscious
- Clean Waste Systems provides sterilization of biohazardous waste with zero emissions and low energy usage.
- Triumvirate Environmental Inc provides services to help industrial businesses reduce waste.