Lab plastic waste recycling

In laboratories, various single use plastic items are used to maintain sample integrity, to avoid cross contamination and to ensure the highest levels of accuracy in the results provided to the customers. IPL has a strong desire to be environmentally friendly and as a user of single use plastic items, we have been looking at ways to manage our plastic waste in line with sustainable end-of-life options.

After exploring a variety of options, IPL has landed on a solution and has started implementing new processes to better manage their plastic waste. IPL recently introduced dedicated recycling bins throughout the lab that will allow for the recycling of a large portion of the #1 and #2 recycling items used to perform their testing. We are also currently working with our suppliers to help identify the plastic recycling codes of other single use plastic items used in the lab. By including our suppliers to this process, we are hoping to add more items to our current plastic recycling list.

Whilst the recycling is currently limited to the #1 and #2 plastic items, this is a massive first step for the lab. By separating those items from the rest of our waste, we are allowing for a huge portion of the single use plastic items to be handled efficiently and most importantly to be handled following sustainable practices. Weekly, it is roughly 2.4m3 of plastic that will be going through the correct channels and saved from landfill.

By collecting and storing the plastic items in separate bags, we are also simplifying the triage of our recycled waste for our waste management contactor. Implementing this new process is a win/win solution on so many levels.

For this recycling initiative, IPL has been really fortunate to count on the full support of their LT and the staff has jumped on board with so much enthusiasm, it’s all really quite neat to see. The next step is to look at ways to extend this solution to other recycling identification codes. Watch this space!