Reduce | Reuse | Recycle
REDUCE | REUSE | RECYCLE
Onsite Recyling
We have recycling options for a range of products available at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, including typical paper, cans, plastics, and glass, plastic films, pipette tip boxes, and styrofoam.
Collection points for each of these products are available across both Riverside 2 and Riverside 4.
Single-Stream Recyling
We offer an onsite recycling program through Republic Services. This program uses the blue recycling bins that are scattered throughout FBRI buildings and can collect cardboard, paper, magazines, metal cans, #1 and #2 plastic bottles and jugs, and glass. Lids can also be placed in these bins, but should be separate from the bottles. All containers must be clean, dry, and free from chemical or biohazardous materials. Download single-stream recycling information below.
Trex
The Trex company accepts plastic films that are otherwise thrown away for use in manufacturing decking and outdoor furniture. We challenge all labs to recycle clean plastic films and bags in the receptacles labeled Trex located in the wet lab areas. Items that can be recycled include: produce bags, store bags, ice bags, clean Ziploc and other reclosable bags, case overwrap, bread bags, newspaper sleeves, bubble wrap, and plastic e-commerce mail envelopes. As a general rule, if it’s stretchy and clean, it can go in the bin. You can also bring products from home.
Receptacles are located on every lab floor in each lab hallway.
Pipette Tip Box Recycling
Pipette tip boxes can be recycled via receptacles located in both Riverside 2 and Riveside 4. Deposit only clean, empty pipette boxes. Do not include pipette tips, pipettes or liquids.
Receptacles are located on every lab floor in each lab hallway.
Styrofoam Coolers
We have two permanent styrofoam collection areas, located in the shipping/receiving docks of buildings 2 and 4. Product must be white, clean of all tape and labels, and contain a #6 recycling stamp or symbol. Atlas Molded Products, a company in Ridgeway, Virginia, (in the Martinsville area), will take our styrofoam, grind it down and reuse it to make new styrofoam products.
Electronics (E-waste)
Virginia Tech's office of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for disposing of defunct computers, cell phones, printers, and other electronics, as well as unwanted or broken cables and wires. Contact Kenny Osborne for more information and to schedule a pick-up or drop-off.
Batteries
Containers for small battery recycling are located in many copy rooms and office areas of the research institute. Start a conversation at help.vtc.vt.edu to request a battery recycling container for your area.
Green Laboratory Practices
- Consolidate orders to minimize number of shipments.
- Recycle paper, cardboard and styrofoam used for packing.
- Use reloads for non-filter pipette tips to cut back on plastic boxes.
- Use Genesee 15ml and 50ml conicals (21 series), that come in a plastic rack that can be autoclaved, frozen, sprayed with ethanol, and recycled in general recycling.
- The T-Gen and S-gen gloves are packed 2000 gloves a unit (200/box), which cuts back on cardboard.
- Check for super bulk packaging options for some items.
- Reduce waste by purchasing perishable items from vendors that offer paper coolers that are 100% recyclable.