Recycling Glass

Recycling Plastics

Chemical and Labware Reuse

Labware Disposal Procedure

Recycling Glass Bottles

Generally, small amounts of glass bottles (beverage containers, etc.) can be put directly into the maroon "Bottles and Cans" recycling bins on campus. However, large quantities of glass bottles generated in laboratories, or clinics, easily become broken when placed in these containers. The broken glass is too hazardous to hand sort on a conveyor, and therefore is not recycled.

If you want to ensure that your glass bottles and jars are recycled, follow these instructions:

1. Remove caps and lids.
2. Rinse the empty bottle or jar.
3. Place the bottles and jars in a cardboard box (clear in one box, brown in another).
4. Label the box "Bottles for Recycling."
5. Place the boxes next to the recycling containers in your area for removal by custodians.

*Broken recyclable bottles and jars can also be placed in the box.

Acceptable:

• Soda lime or flint glass (e.g. chemical bottles & solvent bottles)

NOTE: Please do not place large or very small (<100 ml) chemical bottles into the "Cans and Bottles" (Maroon) containers, as they are easily broken.

Unacceptable:

• Borosilicate (Pyrex or Kimax) labware such as flasks, beakers, pipettes, test tubes, etc.
• Plate or window glass
• Bottles once containing heavy metals (e.g. arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium)
• Bottles that once contained pesticides or acutely toxic materials (see page 63 of the Hazardous Waste Guidebook or call 612-626-1604)

Recycling Plastic Bottles

Acceptable:

Only plastic bottles with recycling numbers 1, 2, 4, 5 (located on the bottom of the bottle) can be placed directly in the "Bottles and Cans" containers.

• PETE: Polythylene Terphthalate (e.g. some media bottles)
• HDPE: High Density Polythylene (e.g. bleach bottles, chemical jars)
• LDPE: Low Density Polyethylene

Unacceptable:

All plastic containers that are not bottles or have recycling numbers 3, 6, 7 are not acceptable.

• PVC: Poly Vinyl Chloride (e.g. some vegetable oil bottles)
• PS: All forms of Polystyrene and some Media bottles
• OTHER: Other plastics (e.g. Nalgene bottles)
• PP: Polypropylene (e.g. Travenol bottles)

Chemical and Labware Reuse

If your lab or department has excess laboratory glassware or chemicals that are still usable, or if you would like a list of free lab supplies, contact the Chemical Labware Recycling Program at 626-1859.

This program makes your excess material available to other labs on campus and other universities, colleges, or high schools in Minnesota.

Labware Disposal

Currently, laboratory glassware such as breakers, flasks, pipettes and test tubes are not recyclable. These materials should be disposed of as trash, when broken, since it is a potential sharps hazard.

1. Place broken labware in a cardboard box.
2. Seal the box securely and label as "Broken Labware for Trash."
3. Place box next to a trash container for removal by custodians.