Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Reduce the amount of plastic generated from pipette tip use.

They have a better environmenatl foorprint because they break down faster and naturally, reducing the amount of waste in landfills. Some options are EcoTek (via SW Safety), T-Gen (via Genesee), Bio-nit (via Uniseal), and GreenDex (via Showa).

Paper made of post-consumer material uses less raw material and is more environmentally friendly.

Refill smaller soap containers with soap from bulk containers to minimize plastic waste. 

They can be reused over time reducing the amount of batteries that ends up in landfills.

Waterless condensers for chemistry experiments avoid running water for the duration of the entire reaction resulting in significant water savings. Examples are Heidolph's Findenser and Asynt's CondenSyn (available through VWR and Fischer Scientific).

Use copper trays for your incubator's water instead of dissolving copper sulfate powder, which is toxic for the aquatic environment.

Polycarbin (close-loop option), TerraCycle (via VWR), and Fisherbrand.

Kimberly Clark RightCycle and Terracycle.

Millipore Sigma and NewEngland Biolabs (both free).

Corning Recycles takes back Corning's lab packaging (free).

• Garment, battery, and pipette tip recycling programs. VWR offers an array of recycling programs for common lab items.

• Look for Environmentally Preferable options when purchasing in the VWR Ariba punch-out (refine results on the left of the page, under criteria). They are also identified throughout the catalog by a green leaf. 

--> Check out thier Sustainability Report

• Supply centers: freezers located on the 18th floor of the Belfer Research Building and in the basement of the 1300 York Avenue building. Subscribers can access these freezers to obtain temperature-sensitive products such as cell media and save on shipping material and emissions associated with delivery. Your department P-card is needed.

• Greener shipping. Thermo Fisher has developed an engineered cardboard substitute for the polystyrene boxes used for temperature-sensitive deliveries, which, unlike polystyrene, is recyclable.

• Gibco Bench-stable Cell Culture Medium can reduce the refrigerator's space and energy consumption.

• Learn about Thermo Fisher and Fischer Scientific's Green products.

• For greener shipping, Millipore Sigma has developed a plant-based cardboard cooler to replace the polystyrene boxes used for temperature-sensitive deliveries.

• Millipore Sigma Greener Alternative Products has many solvents and antibodies listed.

• Stericup® E and Steritop® E Sterile Filters save plastic by connecting the filter to your own compatible, reusable bottle.

• Polycarbin supplies pipette tips made entirely of recycled plastic and takes back pipette tip boxes to recycle in a close loop.

•TipOne’s production facility and the New England distribution center are powered by 100% wind energy

•ACT® Certified Products

Pipette tips in a biodegradable rack (bamboo and sugar cane) and packaged in recycled cardboard (75% less plastic than conventional racks).