Waste Diversion

The Green Labs program readily seeks solutions to reduce and eliminate both hazardous and non-hazardous waste leaving our research laboratories via the waste-diversion initiatives below.

All Lab Waste Streams

× Animal Bedding Animal bedding is a major waste stream for our campus vivaria and has historically been disposed of via landfill. Unfortunately, when deposited in a landfill, compostable organic items produce the greenhouse gas methane, which is harmful to the environment and contributes to climate change. Thus, it was decided to follow in the footsteps of UGA Dining Halls and compost this organic material at the UGA Bioconversion Facility.   Animal bedding from select campus vivaria composts at this facility, where it breaks down into nutrient-dense soil to be used in UGA’s award-winning campus landscaping.  It’s a win-win; we divert this material from the landfill, avoid contributing to climate change, and nourish our soil and campus landscaping. Bedding must be from non-treatment animals and must be collected in compostable bags only. Bedding placed in trash bags will be landfilled.  High volume generators may be eligible to use a bagless system. If your animal research facility would like to get involved in this program, please reach out to greenlab@uga.edu. Close	× Batteries Battery waste on campus is managed by the Environmental Safety Division.  Battery Recycling Station locations can be found here.  Nickel-cadmium batteries are part of UGA’s Universal Waste program and must be disposed of accordingly. For questions or assistance with battery disposal on campus, please contact the Environmental Safety Division at 706-542-5801. Close	× Biohazardous Waste The Office of Biosafety oversees the use of all biohazardous materials on campus and can provide support for any biosafety need, including disposal. If your lab’s waste streams are required to be placed in biological red bags, they are not eligible for Green Labs waste diversion initiatives. For questions or assistance with your biosafety needs, please contact the UGA Office of Biosafety. Close	× Broken Glass Non-hazardous laboratory glass must be placed in a Glass Disposal Box lined with a strong plastic bag. Prior to transport, the container must be securely sealed, labeled “Broken Glass”, and taken to the dumpster by laboratory personnel when it is full. Do not overfill this container. BSWs do not handle Glass Disposal Boxes. More information about this process can be found in the Sharps, Glassware and Pointed Plastic Disposal Policy. (PDF) For questions about managing broken lab glass in your lab, please contact the Office of Research Integrity and Safety at 706-542-9088. Close	× Cardboard Cardboard recycling is offered in most campus buildings. Contact your Building Services Supervisor with questions about the process for your building.Users are expected to flatten and stack boxes prior to collection. Close
× EPS Foam (Styrofoam) Expanded Polystyrene foam or Styrofoam that is clean and free of tape and other materials is recycled at the CHaRM. Athens Clarke-County has more detailed guidelines here.  If you regularly receive shipments containing polystyrene packaging, consider reaching out to the supplier to tell them you would prefer that they switch to an alternative packing material.  UGA Facilities Management Division provides recycling removal service for #6 polystyrene (a.k.a. Styrofoam) for participating UGA Athens departments that opt into this program. Participants are responsible for material collection, preventing contamination, and requesting removal. To opt-in, contact your Building Services Supervisor and notify them that your department plans to begin Styrofoam collection and will be requesting their support to coordinate removal. Additional program details are described here: UGA FMD Polystyrene Collection Program (PDF) Coolers must have all tape and mailing labels removed. Only white foam is accepted. Grey and black foam must be landfilled. Close	× Hazardous Waste The Environmental Safety Division manages all hazardous waste on UGA campus. For labs generating high volumes of hazardous waste, the Green Labs program recommends micro-scaling your experiments, investing in a solvent recycler and/or embracing Green Chemistry techniques.  All of these actions reduce the volume of hazardous waste generated, saving the institution money and reducing negative impacts on the planet and communities where hazardous waste is disposed. For questions about hazardous waste management and disposal, please contact the Environmental Safety Division at 706-542-5801. Close	× Ice Packs UGA labs receive hundreds of icepacks each month, most of which come from scientific distributors along with items ordered by laboratory personnel.  In this aspect, UGA researchers are not the users of these hard-to-recycle items, yet are burdened with the handling and disposal of them. The Green Labs program strives to divert clean, intact ice packs from the landfill by partnering with local community organizations and non-profits who can reuse and repurpose the packs. Labs who wish to participate in this program must lay icepacks flat to defrost and completely dry. Once defrosted and dry, ice packs can be collected in a tote or durable cardboard box and brought to the Chicopee warehouse.  Please note: Transportation for this waste stream is not yet provided by the institution and participating labs must transport these materials directly. For questions about diverting ice packs, please contact the Green Labs program at greenlab@uga.edu.  Close	× Lightbulbs Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light bulbs are managed by the Environmental Safety Division as part of the Universal Waste program. For assistance with disposing bulbs and lamps on campus, please contact the Environmental Safety Division at 706-542-5801. Close	× Metal Solvent Drums NO LAB ITEMS CAN BE PLACED IN THE SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING A pilot program is currently underway on UGA’s main campus to recycle metal solvent cans, such as the 20-liter blue or silver cans containing methanol and xylene.  This pilot is currently active in one building and will be expanded after the trial period to include other campus locations. It is of utmost importance that pilot participants follow the guidelines for diverting these cans, as failure to do so can result in the rejection of the program and/or hazardous waste violations.    Plastic lids must be removed. Labels must be defaced and the word, “empty” must be written on it. Any cans lacking the word “empty” will not be picked up. Residual solvents must be vented from empty cans in a fume hood. Cans must not have been used with any chemical other than what is on the label. Labs are responsible for taking empty, defaced cans to the building collection site.   If your lab generates a high volume of metal solvent cans, please reach out to the Green Labs program at greenlab@uga.edu to request your building be prioritized on the program expansion list. Additionally, a solvent recycler may be more appropriate to meet your research needs, while also reducing waste generated in your lab. Please reach out for more information. Close
× Nitrile Gloves Currently, the UGA Green Labs program does not engage in any nitrile glove recycling programs. These programs require researchers to pay to ship their used gloves states away, thus increasing their carbon footprint, and are often “downcycled”.  An MIT cradle-to-grave study on end-of-life scenarios for nitrile gloves demonstrated that unless nitrile gloves are being incinerated at Waste to Energy plants, they actually have a lower Global Warming Potential when landfilled. Thus, our program does not currently support efforts for nitrile glove recycling on campus.  We are always eager to divert waste from our campus laboratory waste streams and will continue to monitor and review these programs. For questions about nitrile gloves recycling, please contact the UGA Green Labs program at greenlab@uga.edu. Close	× Paper Towels Paper towels are a primary waste stream in the majority of UGA research laboratories.  Successful models exist demonstrating the value of composting paper towels from higher education institutions.  For example, the University of Colorado Boulder has been successfully composting their paper towels for years, including those from research labs. Though UGA does not currently offer the diversion of this waste stream, we hope to add this to our campus composting efforts in the future and avoid sending these materials to the landfill. If your lab would like to assist in the development of a laboratory paper towel composting program or participate in a campus pilot program, please email greenlab@uga.edu. Close	× PLA 3D Printer Scraps PLA (polylactic acid) printing filament scraps from 3D printers on UGA campus can now be composted via a partnership with Athens Clarke County Commercial Composting Facility. PLA is different from petroleum-based plastics, as it is derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch, and is often referred to as a “bioplastic.” The unique nature of this material allows it to be diverted from landfills and composted instead. UGA Facilities Management Division provides composting removal service for PLA printing filament scraps associated with our campus Makerspaces and other campus areas with 3D printers. Participants are responsible for material collection, preventing contamination, and requesting removal. To opt-in, contact your Building Services Supervisor and notify them that your department plans to begin PLA scrap collection and will be requesting their support to coordinate removal.  Please note: it is of utmost importance that only PLA printing filament scraps are included in this collection and kept free of other types of 3D printer filament.  Additional program details are described here:  UGA FMD PLA Filament Scraps Composting Program Close	× Plastics We use a lot of single-use plastics in research—Urbina et al estimated in Nature (2015) that biosciences are responsible for over 5.5 M metric tons of plastic waste annually.  Experts believe this number is likely much higher today considering the increase in our use of plastics. The UGA Green Labs program, in partnership with Waste Reduction Services, strives to divert these materials from the landfill and is currently building and expanding campus laboratory recycling efforts. See the Plastic Lab Waste Streams section below for the current state of recycling for each item. An institutionalized laboratory recycling pilot is currently underway on campus and will be expanded to include other buildings after the trial period is successfully completed. Read the Laboratory Recycling Opportunities and Guidelines section located in the Waste Diversion menu below to learn more about lab recycling on campus. Please note: NO lab items can be placed in the single-stream recycling on UGA campus. Close	× Sharps Sharps, pointed plastics, and broken lab glass are managed on campus according to the Sharps, Glassware and Pointed Plastic Disposal Policy. (PDF) For questions about managing Sharps disposal in your lab, please contact the Office of Research Integrity and Safety at 706-542-9088 Close
× Radioactive Waste The UGA Radiation Safety program oversees the use of all radiological materials on campus and provides service and assistance to researchers using ionizing radiation in their operations. The Radiation Safety Manual outlines prudent laboratory practices, university policies, and regulatory requirements for working safely in laboratories with radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment at UGA facilities. Lab materials in contact with radiologicals are not eligible for Green Labs waste diversion initiatives. For questions or assistance with your radiation safety needs, please contact the Office of Research Safety at 706-542-5288 or via email at bherndon@uga.edu. Close

 

Plastic Lab Waste Streams

× 96 Well Plates Usually made of #6 polystyrene and not currently recycled via any UGA lab recycling initiative. Close	× Buffer Bottles These are usually #2 HDPE (High density polyethylene) and can go in the Small #2 and #5 Lab Plastics Recycling. See details about this program under the Laboratory Recycling Opportunities and Guidelines section. Please check your specific buffer bottles to ensure they are #2. All bottles must be clean, empty and dry. Close	× Centrifuge Tubes NO LAB ITEMS CAN BE PLACED IN THE SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING Most centrifuge tubes are created from #5 polypropylene and can go in the Small #2 and #5 Lab Plastics Recycling. See details about this program under the Laboratory Recycling Opportunities and Guidelines section. Please check your specific tubes to ensure they are #5. Tubes must be clean, empty and dry, with no pellets or biological/radiological/chemical hazards. Close	× Film Plastics Plastic film is commonly used in Labs. Clean film plastics such as shopping bags, deflated airbags from shipped packages, and shrink wrap can be consolidated and brought to the CHaRM. They can also be placed in the appropriate container at most supermarkets, or placed in a Bag the Bag bin in most UGA Housing residence halls. Film plastics should never go in single-stream recycling bins.  UGA Facilities Management Division provides recycling removal services for #2 and #4 film plastic for participating UGA Athens departments that opt into this program. Participants are responsible for material collection, preventing contamination, and requesting removal.  UGA FMD Film Plastic Collection Program (PDF) (PDF) Close	× Media Flasks Often made of #1 PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and not currently recycled via any UGA lab recycling initiative. Close
× Pipette Tip Boxes, Lids, and Inserts Most pipette tip boxes, lids and inserts are created from #5 polypropylene and can go in the Small #2 and #5 Lab Plastics Recycling. See details about this program under the Laboratory Recycling Opportunities and Guidelines section. Please check your specific products to ensure they are #5 and reach out to greenlabs@uga.edu for assistance if you are not sure. Close	× Pipette Tips (nonhazardous) Most pipette tips are created from #5 polypropylene and can go in the Small #2 and #5 Lab Plastics Recycling. See details about this program under the Laboratory Recycling Opportunities and Guidelines section. Please check your specific products to ensure they are #5. Close	× Plastic Chemical Containers Chemical containers pose a threat for downstream workers here at UGA and beyond. Thus, they are not currently permitted in any UGA lab recycling initiative. Close	× Serological Pipettes Most serological pipettes are created from #6 polystyrene and are not currently recycled via any UGA lab recycling initiative. Close	× Tissue Culture Plates Due to their contact with biological hazards, as well as the fact most tissue culture plates are created from #6 polystyrene, they are not currently recycled via any UGA lab recycling initiative. Close

Waste Diversion Initiatives

Green Chemistry

Research often requires the use of hazardous chemicals and thus, the generation of hazardous waste. The UGA Green Labs program seeks to minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances on our campus via green chemistry. Scientists can help eliminate the most toxic and environmentally-persistent chemicals from lab applications by embracing and applying the principles of green chemistry via resources such as MilliporeSigma’s DOZN Tool and the American Chemical Society’s Solvent Selection Tool. Researchers are encouraged to consider whether their reactions can be scaled down or if lab processes can be improved upon to reduce the quantity of hazardous waste byproducts.

Helping UGA Be Mercury Free

Beginning in February 2018, the University of Georgia launched a campus initiative to phase out the use of elemental mercury thermometers via a collaboration between the Office of Research Integrity and Safety, FMD Safety, and the Green Labs program. Due to mercury’s toxicity and costly remediation, efforts are being made to replace these thermometers with an environmentally friendly equivalent. Reducing the quantity of hazardous chemicals on campus, such as mercury, would not only enhance the safety of laboratory personnel, but also that of the FMD personnel who frequently perform repairs in locations where these chemicals are used and stored. 

Read more about how to be mercury free here (PDF).  

Lab Glass Rehoming Program

When a researcher leaves UGA or when a laboratory changes their processes, we are often left with unwanted but usable equipment and laboratory supplies.  In the past, these items would often end up in a landfill, wasting precious resources that others could benefit from.

The UGA Green Labs program strives to divert laboratory waste from our landfills and simultaneously supports the education of future scientists, by collaborating with our local Teacher ReUse Store located at the CHaRM on College Ave.   As many of our local high schools are underfunded, and most lab glass is quite expensive, teachers are sometimes unable to lead the curriculum they desire.  Donated equipment helps to change that by providing free shopping for lab items for local teachers.  

All UGA lab equipment/supplies going to the Teacher ReUse Store must be:

1. Non-barcoded (not inventoried by UGA)
2. Clean, non-contaminated
3. Unbroken
4. Boxed/packaged for transport
5. Offered internally to UGA colleagues first

The UGA Green Labs program is happy to help facilitate this process, but requires a three week for single labs or a three month notice for building moves. All items diverted via this program MUST be approved by UGA Green Labs. Please reach out to us at greenlab@uga.edu for more information.

Laboratory Recycling Opportunities and Guidelines

The UGA Green Labs program is working to create a laboratory recycling program to divert recoverable materials from the landfill. It is our mission to have a robust, campus-wide laboratory recycling program to serve our research areas.  A limited lab-specific waste audit conducted on campus in 2018 revealed that nearly 80% of our laboratory waste could potentially be recovered, recycled, or composted. 

The Green Labs program works in partnership with Waste Reduction Services, Athens Clarke County Recycling Division and campus research labs to further these efforts.  We also work closely with the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories Laboratory Waste Landfill Diversion Working Group.

#2 and #5 Small Lab Plastics Recycling is currently available to ALL campus labs willing to transport these items to an off-campus location. Labs must consult with and recieve approval from UGA Green Labs before beginning recycling.

How to Join

• Contact greenlab@uga.edu to schedule a consult and enroll in this program. Consultation and approval is required to participate.

Accepted Materials

• Any non-hazardous #2 or #5 lab plastic smaller than a football (e.g., pipette tips, tip boxes, lids, inserts, tubes)
• Confirm that your polymers are #2 and #5 (No clear trays, pipette tip box covers, or pipette tip holders---all of these are clear, thin plastic and usually not #2 or #5.)

Lab Recycling Guidelines

• Consult with UGA Green Labs to gain approval prior to recycling 
• No lab plastics in the single stream recycling - lab materials placed in the single stream will likely result in the entire lot being landfilled.
• Lab recycling must be non-hazardous, clean and dry.
• No pellets or biological material.
• No biological, chemical or radiological hazards (no chemical containers, even empty ones).
• Stack and densify materials when possible (e.g., pipette tip boxes).
• When in doubt, please reach out to greenlab@uga.edu for guidance.
• Due to the regulatory component of many laboratory waste streams, it is of utmost importance users adhere to guidelines and not "wish cycle" unwanted items.