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Waste

​​​​​​​​​​​​​The average bench scientist generates >1000 kg of plastic waste annually compared to the average person (61-220 kg). image
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​The average bench scientist generates >1000 kg of plastic waste annually compared to the average person (61-220 kg).

Although labs generate different waste compared to the average household (i.e. hazardous chemical waste), they may be tackled using similar principles.

Ways you can directly reduce your labs waste production and overall contribution to landfill:

  • Recycle all possible lab materials e.g. Trypsin bottles/PBS bottles
  • Ensure only clinical waste is disposed of in autoclave bins
  • Divide all waste into appropriate streams
  • Only order the volume of consumables needed
  • Use minimal packaging vendors where possible 
  • Arrange take back of items such a cooler packs for reuse

Waste in UCD

Items that can be placed in household recycling bins if uncontaminated

  • Soft plastics (e.g. clingfilm)
  • Flexible plastics
  • Clean plastic containers, washed out with labels removed (e.g. chemical tubs)
  • Plastic packaging

Items that cannot be placed in household recycling bins

  • Tetra Pak containers
  • Polystyrene boxes
  • Bubble wrap