How to Recycle Lab Equipment
Different types of lab equipment may potentially cause environmental harm depending upon their content. Some materials may be classified as hazardous waste, the recycling and disposal of which is regulated the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), primarily at the state level. Local and institutional regulations may also govern how lab equipment is reused. Recycling begins with an inventory of the laboratory.
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Things You'll Need
- Inventory of lab equipment
- Contact information for your waste management service
- Contact information for your state EPA office
Instructions
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Determine the type of equipment that will be recycled. Prepare an inventory of the items. Recycling options will vary with type of equipment and its environmental risk. As you inventory the equipment, consider whether the item has a potential to harbor or have absorbed infectious waste. This equipment may require labeling and separate disposal.
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Find out if your organization has an environmental management system (EMS). An EMS is a collection of procedures and guidelines for reduction of pollution and environmental risk. An EMS often includes guidelines for recycling and disposal of equipment.
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Thorough clean all equipment prior to recycling. Rinse glass and plastic containers. Discard caps.
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Separate glass by color used for testing procedures. While glass is recyclable, its use is determined by its color. Different chemicals are added during the glass making process to manufacture different colored glass. Separate clear class used in testing from colored glass used for storage in laboratories
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Separate plastic containers by their classification. The classification number is found on the outside of the container within the recycling symbol. Not all plastics can be recycled. Contact your waste management service for more information. Containers are used for storage of chemicals used in laboratory procedures.
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Place any medical sharps in designated sharp containers. Bear in mind that medical waste may be considered a hazardous waste in some areas, necessitating other means of recycling. Contact your waste management service to find out if reusable sharps containers are available for recycling medical waste.
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Separate any chemicals and reagents by their type. Hazardous materials will require separate disposal. Contact your state EPA office for further instructions.
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Collect any unused, unexpired pharmaceuticals. Programs for drug reclamation exist in 37 states. Regulations will vary. Contact the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for recycling of controlled substances.
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Group any electronics or e-waste by their manufacturer. Some manufacturers such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard offer e-waste recycling. Note that some companies may charge a fee for this service. Erase any sensitive data from computer hard drives before recycling.
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Contact the manufacturer of any other equipment such as autoclaves or X-ray equipment. Some companies will accept returns for recycling.
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Recycle office equipment such as printers through the Xerox Green World Alliance program. The company offers pre-paid shipping through United Parcel Service.
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Tips & Warnings
If the lab equipment is reusable and safe, consider donating the items to a school or college.
Always wear protective gear and eye protection when handling hazardous materials.
