Instruction:F8c5c27a-a74e-4625-bee4-b5dcd526997d

Modules

From waste to wisdom: rethinking plastic waste management in the lab

Instructions for:TraineeTrainer

Related Initiative

RE4GREEN

Goal

The primary learning objective of this micromodule is to:

• Enhance understanding of the role and importance of plastic waste recycling for a green and sustainable lab.

Secondary learning objectives include:

• Familiarize students, researchers, and lab managers with the different types of plastic materials in a lab.
• Explore actionable steps for managing and recycling plastics in a lab.
• Reflect on the challenges of developing a recycling pipeline for plastic waste in a lab.

Duration (hours)

0.75

For whom is this important?

Lab managersResearchersStudents

Method

Individual learning

Steps

1Explore how to tackle the plastic waste problem in the lab

2Learn about the different types of plastic

3Sorting plastics smarter: Recyclable vs Replaceable

4Final quiz

5Looking back to move forward

What is this about?

Laboratories play a pivotal role in advancing science. However, they’re also significant sources of plastic waste, thereby contributing heavily to global plastic pollution. In 2015, a study estimated the amount of plastic waste produced in bioscience labs worldwide at 5.5 million tons (Urbina et al. 2015. Labs should cut plastic waste too. Nature). Given the essential role of plastic products in wet-lab research, avoiding their use altogether may not be a practical option. Alternatively, plastic used in the lab can be recycled. This micromodule explores practical actions for reducing, managing, and recycling plastic waste in research environments. Whether you are a student, researcher or lab technician, you will gain actionable insights to make your workspace cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.

1

Explore how to tackle the plastic waste problem in the lab

Laboratories consume a huge amount of plastic, the majority of which is single use, and not recycled. Green Labs Austria presents the problem of plastic waste from labs and gives guidelines on where to start in addressing the problem in a lab (Green Labs Austria, 2024. Pioneering sustainability in scientific research. MIT Science Policy Review). Through a background study, they evaluate what plastic materials can be recycled, which ones can be replaced and how can plastic materials be recycled for greener labs (Tackling the plastic problem in the lab).

Watch this video and familiarize yourself with the types of plastic materials used in labs which can be recycled or replaced as well as the steps involved in the setting up of a plastic recycling pipeline.

Tackling the plastic problem in the lab

2

Learn about the different types of plastic

Plastic is classified into seven main categories, each defined primarily by its distinct chemical properties.

To learn more about these categories, match the types of plastic with their descriptions.

Match the type of plastic with its description

3

Sorting plastics smarter: Recyclable vs Replaceable

In the previous sessions, we learnt that plastics are not treated the same way. Some can be recycled and re‑entered into the production cycle, while others can be replaced with sustainable alternatives. Understanding this distinction is a main step toward reducing waste and making smarter plastics choices in the lab and beyond.

Here, you will explore which plastics can be recycled and/or replaced and available alternatives when replacement is the more responsible option.

Recyclable or Replaceable Plastics

4

Final quiz

Gauge your knowledge on plastic waste management.

5

Looking back to move forward

Well done! You have now learnt about various types (recyclable vs. replaceable) of plastics used in a lab setting and steps towards designing a plastic recycling pipeline for a more management of plastic wastes in a lab. It is obvious that the recycling pipeline suggested by Green Labs Austria has to be tailored to the specific conditions of each lab.

In sum, here are some guidelines that can be adopted for the successful development of a recycling pipeline: (i) communication is key for enabling an easy and sensible sorting of plastic waste; (ii) recycling pipeline should be initially tested with a smaller group before being rolled out to a much larger group; (iii) strive for adaptability by substituting non-recyclable materials with recyclable alternatives.

Moving forward, please use the questions below as a guide to reflect on your next steps.

Remarks

Additional external resources

1.    How we got started to recycle plastic in our lab” [Blog - Green Labs]

2.    “How much can you recycle in a lab” [How much can you recycle in a lab?]

3.     First pilot plant for recycling plastic lab waste [University of Bath is home to UK’s first pilot plant for recycling plastic lab waste]

Steps

Other information