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Recycling programmes

Grey rectangular collection bin in teaching lab

KIMTECH nitrile glove recycling programme

Laboratory gloves are often made with polypropylene which is a recyclable material. 

Driven by the Wetlabs subgroup, a trial glove recycling programme is currently underway in conjunction with Kimberly-Clark Professional™️, who offer to recycle their own brand ofKimtechnitrile gloves under their RightCycle™️ programme.  Some labs such as lab 103 in the school of Veterinary Medicine now have special, segregated bins for collecting these after practical classes.  

If you wish to participate Kimtech gloves are available to order through Fisher eProcurement at a cost of €20 for a box of 200. As part of the RightCycle™️ programme the customer pays for collection, KCP pays for processing.

  • #17397659 - X200 Kimtech Opal Nitrile Gloves, L, 24cm, Ambidex 
  • #17377659 - X200 Kimtech Opal Nitrile Gloves, S, 24cm, Ambidex  
  • #17387659 - X200 Kimtech Opal Nitrile Gloves, M, 24cm, Ambidex 
  • #17307669 - X170 Kimtech Opal Nitrile Gloves, XL, 24cm, Ambidex
Polystyrene collection on back of truck

Polystyrene recycling programme

Every laboratory has a collection of EPS (expanded polystyrene akastyrofoam) boxes cluttering up the place. Styrofoam is still one of the most commonly used materials for shipping reagents on cold packs or dry ice. The SRI is working with UCD Estates to facilitate the collection of clean styrofoam materials for donation to (opens in a new window)Rehab for recycling into building materials. 

There are three pick up points on campus:

  • O’Brien Science Centre (contact Carlotta Sacchi)
  • Conway Institute (contact Eimear Ryan)
  • School of Veterinary Medicine (contact Tara Fitzsimons)
  • NVRL

Request your own by logging a job with (opens in a new window)estates@ucd.ie*

“One polystyrene recycling white 1t bag from the old canoe shed to be delivered to _________”
*Please note there may be limited availability

Blue bagged bin with sign for pipette tip box recycling

Pipette tip box recycling programme

Through the supplier Cruinn, it is now possible to recycle used, clean plastic pipette tip boxes under Cruinn's take back programme. Used tip boxes can be placed in a clear or semi transparent blue bag with a Cruinn sticker placed on it for collection. 

Both Cruinn and Sarstedt ship these pipette tip boxes to IFF Plastics Ltd in Co. Clare where they are mixed together, washed, dried, chipped and melted for re-moulding into items such as posts. Through this polypropylene and LDPE plastic recycling initiative, IFF Plastics Ltd report an offset of approximately 750 tonnes of carbon annually.

Bags for pipette tip box collection are left near the Vet Buyer’s office beside the lift. These must be labelled with a Cruinn sticker (check with your local Technical Officer for labels).

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Waste Action Reuse Portal (WARP-It)

WARPit is a web based, furniture reuse platform, and is part of a Green Campus initiative managed by UCD Estate Services to reduce our carbon footprint by diverting furniture from landfill and reduce the costs to the University of storage and purchase of new furniture. 

WARPit matches surplus resources wit staff and students; reducing disposal costs, carbon emissions and waste to landfill.

Read more about it(opens in a new window)here.

Register(opens in a new window)here.