Here is a list of all take-back programs we know of for you.
Please note that these will vary in price, how collection is set up and how re- or downcycling is organized.
๐งด PET Bottles (e.g., for culture media)
PAN Biotech
๐ Accepts: Empty PET bottles from culture media and buffer solutions (must be from PAN)
๐ Recycling Portal
๐งช Tip Racks / Pipette Tip Boxes
StarLab (TipOne Program)
๐ Accepts: Empty TipOneยฎ pipette tip racks (only from StarLab, cleaned and free of tips)
๐ TipOne Recycling
Polycarbin
๐ Accepts: Rinsed tip boxes, conical tubes, media bottles, and other rigid lab plastics
๐ Polycarbin
Fisher Scientific / Thermo Fisher
๐ Accepts: Fisher brand pipette tip boxes and racks (specific SKUs only)
๐ Fisher Pipette Tip Box Recycling
VWR (via TerraCycle)
๐ Accepts: Empty pipet tip boxes (brand-neutral, through TerraCycle’s program)
๐ VWR TerraCycle Program
Corning (MailBack Program)
๐ Accepts: Tip racks, pipette trays, and some rigid plastic lab packaging (must be clean and Corning brand)
๐ Corning Recycling
๐ฆ Packaging Materials
Millipore Sigma / Merck
Greener Cooler Program:
๐ Accepts: ULT shippers and returnable cooler packs
๐ Greener Cooler
Polystyrene Cooler Return:
๐ Accepts: Polystyrene (EPS) foam coolers used for shipping temperature-sensitive products
๐ Cooler Return
Corning (MailBack)
๐ Accepts: Expanded polystyrene packaging and plastic inserts (must be Corning)
๐ Corning MailBack
๐งค Nitrile Gloves
Fisher Scientific
๐ Accepts: Fisherbrand nitrile gloves
๐ Glove Recycling
Polycarbin
๐ Accepts: Nitrile gloves
๐ Polycarbin Gloves
Kimberly-Clark (RightCycle Program)
๐ Accepts: Clean, uncontaminated nitrile gloves and some PPE (from participating brands)
๐ RightCycle
โ๏ธ Instruments
Agilent (Buyback Program)
๐ Accepts: Used Agilent instruments for trade-in or certified pre-owned programs
๐ Agilent Buyback
โป๏ธ Various Lab Items
TerraCycle (Custom Programs)
๐ Accepts: Lab-specific waste streams such as gloves, tip boxes, vials (custom programs with cost)
๐ TerraCycle Lab Programs
๐งฌ Other Initiatives
LabCycle (UK)
โป๏ธ Focus: Circular solutions for lab plastics; currently UK-based pilot projects
๐ LabCycle
Envetec
โป๏ธ Focus: On-site treatment for bio-contaminated lab waste to avoid incineration
๐ Envetec