Subtitle
Help us reach Zero Waste
Use Recycled Plastic
When possible, purchase non-virgin lab plastics. PolyCarbin is a recycler and a lab product re-manufacturer. Providing scientists with low-carbon lab products made from the very plastics it sources from the lab. Check out their conical tubes and pipette tips on Bearbuy.
Purchase from Chem Central
To help us further reduce waste, consider purchasing common research materials and chemicals at Chem Central. Self check out available 24/7.
Lab Waste Collection Guide
Note: Materials that have been exposed to hazardous materials/chemicals cannot be recycled. Use the resources on this page for dealing with hazardous waste.
Item | Proper disposal |
|---|
Batteries  | Locate a battery drop-off bin on ehs.ucsf.edu/battery-disposal |
Lightbulbs 
| Submit a Facilities Services work order for pick up and proper disposal. |
E-Waste  | Drop off at the regular e-waste recycling event. Campus events; UCSF Health events. |
Ink/Toner  | Box used cartridges and leave it with outgoing UCSF mail carrier. See easy ways to recycle cartridges. |
Bulky Furniture  | Fill out the Labor of Services form. |
Capital Assets  | Submit your EIMR and a Capital Asset Surplus form, then submit a labor service request form. Note: all three forms need to be completed. |
Lab Glass  | Place into a lab glass disposal box.* Email recycling@ucsf.edu for more information on lab glass disposal. |
Ice Packs  | If the packaging notes that it can be opened and poured down the drain, please follow that. Otherwise, they can be disposed of through your regular garbage bin. Email recycling@ucsf.edu for more information on ice pack disposal. |
Dry Ice  | Do not dispose of it in sinks, toilets, or trash cans. Returned to bulk storage, or allow the dry ice to sublimate in an appropriate container placed in a well-ventilated area (fume hood or laboratory-type room ventilation). Reach out to ehs@ucsf.edu for more information on dry ice disposal. |
Campus Only |
Rigid Lab Plastics  | Sort into bins (clear/color).* If your lab doesn’t have special bins, request one from UCSF Facilities. Campus only. |
Gloves  | Put used nitrile gloves in the glove disposal box.* If your lab doesn’t have special bins, request one from UCSF Facilities. Campus only. |
Styrofoam  | All locations: email recycling@ucsf.eduto schedule a pick-up; Mission Bay: drop off Styrofoam at a loading dock. Campus only. |
Plastics Film  | To recycle, collect clear and dry plastic film in a clear bag and email recycling@ucsf.edufor a free pickup or directions to your nearest drop-off bin. If you have a few pieces of plastic, place it into garbage. Campus only. |
*cannot be recycled if exposed to hazardous materials/chemicals. See Hazardous Waste guidelines.
Questions, ideas, or concerns? E-mail Recycle@ucsf.edu
