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Product End-of-Use Recycling Solutions
Find recycling programs and responsible end-of-use options for your products
Circularity is a transformative approach to sustainability, where products are designed, used, and recycled continuously, minimizing waste and conserving resources. Our guide helps you manage the end-of-use phase of your products by providing information on various plastics and materials, along with information on where and who can recycle them. We make recycling accessible by helping you locate programs and major recyclers in your area.
Our aim is to provide you with the knowledge and resources needed to help support getting your products recycled and repurposed effectively. Our take-back programs reclaim instruments and components, avoiding wasteful disposal and meeting global recycling requirements. Let us help you recycle, preventing excess waste from occupying space in your lab or landfill.
Our guidance covers the recycling of plastic labware and instruments deemed nonhazardous according to local and country-specific regulations. The listed recyclers have a broad regional presence, helping to ensure accessibility for many users. Detailed instructions and further information on recycling can be obtained from the respective recycling programs and providers. This guidance currently applies to the United States and selected European countries only.*
Together, we can close the loop and build a more sustainable future.
Recycling Guide
Choose your product type to view recycling options. Key to resin types are also provided.
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
#2 HDPE |
Nalgene Graduated HDPE Plastic Beakers |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#5 PP / PPCO |
Nalgene Griffin Low-Form Plastic Beaker, Nalgene Plastic Graduated Cylinder Variety Pack |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
# PS |
Fisherbrand Lids for Fisherbrand Polystyrene Beakers with Pouring Lip |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (France, Germany) |
#7 PFA |
Nalgene PFA Graduated Plastic Beakers with Handles, Nalgene Fluorocarbon (PFA) Resin Plastic Graduated Cylinder |
Not commonly available |
#7 PMP |
Nalgene PMP Griffin Low-Form Plastic Beakers, Nalgene PMP Economy Plastic Graduated Cylinders |
Not commonly available |
#7 PTFE |
PTFE Beaker |
Not commonly available |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Multilayer film |
Bioprocess containers (BPCs), Bioprocess bags |
Thermo Fisher BPC Recycling
|
Silicone |
Tubing |
Not commonly available |
TPE |
Tubing |
Not commonly available |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
#1 PET |
Nalgene Square PET Media Bottles, Gibco Bottles |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States) |
#2 HDPE |
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Bottles, Nalgene Tamper Evident Closure, Lids, Gibco Bottle Caps |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#4 LDPE |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (France, Germany) |
|
#5 PP / PPCO |
Polypropylene (PPCO) Bottles, Nalgene Polypropylene Pour Spout, Lids |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#7 PC |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United States)
|
|
#7 PETG |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United States)
|
|
#7 FEP/PFA |
Not commonly available |
|
Glass Type 1 (borosilicate) |
|
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (United States)
|
Glass Type 3 (soda-lime) |
Septa bottles and jars, |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (United States)
|
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
#2 HDPE |
Nalgene HDPE funnels, utility funnels |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#4 LDPE |
Nalgene LDPE funnels |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Germany) |
#5 PP |
Nalgene PP analytical funnels, Nalgene Büchner Two-Piece PP funnels |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#5 PP with PES membrane |
Syringe filters |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#6 PS with PES membrane |
Disposable filter unit, bottletop filters |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
|
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
#2 HPDE |
HDPE Carboy |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#4 LDPE |
Nalgene LDPE Jugs with Closure |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (France, Germany) |
#5 PP / PPCO |
Nalgene PPCO Jugs with Closures, Nalgene Wide-Mouth Straight Sided PPCO Jars with Closure |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#7 PC |
Nalgene Straight-Sided Wide-Mouth Polycarbonate Jars with Closure |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United States)
|
Glass Type 1 (borosilicate) |
|
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (United States)
|
Glass Type 3 (soda-lime) |
I-Chem amber glass jars, Boston round amber glass jugs |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (United States)
|
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
#5 PP / PPCO |
Flasks |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#6 PS |
Petri dishes, dishes, flasks, Multidishes, Microwell 96-Well Microplate |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (France, Germany) |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
# 4 LDPE |
Transfer Pipettes |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (France, Germany) |
#5 PP |
Pipette tips |
Thermo Scientific TipCycle Program |
#5 PP |
Pipette tip racks and boxes |
Thermo Scientific TipCycle Program Thermo Scientific Cyclebox Program (United Kingdom) |
#6 PS |
Serological pipettes |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States) |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
#5 PP / PPCO |
Microplates, deep-well plates, plate covers, KingFisher plastics |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#6 PS |
Clear microplate lids, plates |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (France, Germany) |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Rigid PE |
Transport container lids |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#5 PP / PPCO |
Flip top vials, centrifuge tubes, microcentrifuge tubes, conical tubes, cryogenic tubes, screw cap storage tube |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
Glass Type 1 (borosilicate) |
Amber screw thread vials, I-Chem clear VOA glass vials |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (United States)
|
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Mixed materials with copper |
iBlot Transfer Stacks |
Recyclers with E-Stewards or R2 certified |
Mixed material electronic chips |
Ion Torrent sequencing chips |
See below |
| Ion Torrent sequencing chips | ||
The Ion Chip recycling program provides customers with a convenient way to recycle used Ion Torrent chips. To recover valuable metals from these chips, we’re partnering with two reputable, certified recyclers in the United States, Canada, and Europe to collect and process the chips. To recycle your Ion chips, simply mail your used chips to the location closest to you using the addresses below. |
||
United States: Gannon & Scott Gannon & Scott
|
European Union: REUZEit BV |
Canada: ERS International |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Mixed material reagent cartridge |
SeqStudio Cartridge |
Recyclers with E-Stewards or R2 certified |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Chromatography and mass spectrometry without coolants, refrigerants, or gases |
Recyclers with E-Stewards or R2 certified or WEEELABEX |
|
High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) instruments |
Dionex Summit HPLC Systems, Thermo Scientific Accla LC Systems, Thermo Finnigan Surveyor HPLC Systems |
Recyclers with E-Stewards or R2 certified or WEEELABEX |
Mass Spectrometry |
Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, HRAM Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer |
Recyclers with E-Stewards or R2 certified Trade in and up Mass Spectrometer program |
Stainless Steel Columns |
LC Columns in Chromatography Consumables |
Triumvirate Environmental (Canada, United States)
Veolia (Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States) |
PEEK |
|
Not commonly available |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Lab equipment with coolants or refrigerants |
Refrigerators, incubators |
Recyclers with E-Stewards, R2 certified, or WEEELABEX
|
Lab equipment with coolants or refrigerants |
Freezers |
Recyclers with E-Stewards, R2 certified, or WEEELABEX
ULT Trade up Program (United States) (contact sales rep.) |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Lab instruments without coolant refrigerants, or gases |
Recyclers with E-Stewards, R2 certified, or WEEELABEX
|
|
Centrifuges |
Centrifuges |
Recyclers with E-Stewards, R2 certified, or WEEELABEX
Centrifuge Recycling Program (United States only) |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Lab instruments without coolant refrigerants, or gasses |
Recyclers with E-Stewards, R2 certified, or WEEELABEX
|
|
Electron Microscopy |
Electron Microscopes |
Certified used electron microscope buyback, resale, and recycling program |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
Systems without coolant refrigerants, or gases |
qPCR, PCR systems |
Recyclers with E-Stewards, R2 certified, or WEEELABEX
|
Sample Prep |
KingFisher Flex, KingFisher Presto or MagMax Express 96 Particle Processor |
Recyclers with E-Stewards, R2 certified, or WEEELABEX
KingFisher Trade-In Trade-up Program |
PCR Instruments |
Real-Time PCR, Digital PCR, QuantStudio PCR Systems |
Recyclers with E-Stewards, R2 certified, or WEEELABEX
Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR Instrument Trade-In Program
Refurbished qPCR Research Instruments |
Thermal cyclers |
Applied Biosystems Thermal Cyclers, ProFlex PCR Systems, Veriti Thermal Cyclers |
Recyclers with E-Stewards or R2 certified Trade-in / donate Thermal Cyclers |
#5 PP / PPCO |
Accessory plates for analytic systems, KingFisher plastic plates, PCR plates |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
#1 PET |
Clam shell packaging |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States) |
#4 LDPE Film |
Plastic bags, shipping bubbles, |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
|
#4 LDPE Flexible pouch with viscous gel refrigerants |
Gel ice packs |
Not commonly available |
#6 PS |
Clam shell packaging |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States) |
#6 EPS |
Packing peanuts, EPS foam inserts (white or black foam) |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States) |
Cardboard corrugated |
Packaging dividers |
Readily recyclable |
EPE |
Flexible foam, spongy foam |
Not commonly available
Triumvirate Environmental (case by case United States) |
EPU |
Rigid foam |
Not commonly available |
Multilayer film |
Product bags |
Not commonly available
Triumvirate Environmental (case by case United States) |
Paper |
Fill paper, product inserts, |
Readily recyclable |
| Material type | Product example | Suggested recycling (location) |
#2 HDPE |
Plastic buckets and drums |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Veolia (Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland) |
#3 PVC |
No longer used by Thermo Fisher for packaging |
Not commonly available |
#4 LDPE Film |
Stretch wrap, stretch film |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States) Veolia (Germany) |
#5 PP |
Plastic banding, labels, packaging tape |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States)
Triumvirate Environmental (Canada, United States)
Veolia (Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States)
|
#6 EPS |
Styrofoam coolers |
Polycarbin Services through Fisher Scientific (Canada, United Kingdom, United States |
Cardboard corrugated |
External shipping box, Paper Cooler, Gaylord pallet boxes |
Readily recyclable |
Cardboard corrugated with EPU foam inside |
Shippers including E327s and E90s |
Not commonly available |
Fiber with metal closure |
Fiber drums |
Triumvirate Environmental (Canada, United States) Veolia (Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States) |
Paper |
Shipping labels, inner boxes, shipping paperwork, inserts |
Readily recyclable |
Steel |
Steel can, steel pails, 55-gallon metal drums |
Triumvirate Environmental (Canada, United States) Veolia (Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States) |
Wood |
Pallets, crates |
Veolia (France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States) |
Key to acronyms, resin identification codes and common names for plastics types
EPS (#6): Expandable polystyrene FEP (#7): Fluorinated ethylene propylene HDPE (#2): High density polyethylene LDPE (#1): Low density polyethylene PC (#7): Polycarbonate PE: Polyethylene PES: Polyether Sulfone PET/PETE (#1): Polyethylene terephthalate PETG (#7): Polyethylene terephthalate glycol PFA (#7): Perfluoroalkoxy PMP (#7): Polymethylpentene PTFE (#7): Polytetrafluoroethylene PP (#5): Polypropylene PPCO (#5): Polypropylene Copolymer PS (#6): Polystyrene TPE: Thermoplastic elastomers EPE: Expanded polyethylene EPU: Expanded Polyurethane |
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Compliance with the European Union’s Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
Products with this symbol are required to comply with the European Union’s Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2012/19/EU.
Thermo Fisher Scientific has various trade-in, returns, and recycling programs for instruments. For any inquiries, please reach out to your Thermo Fisher representative. |
*Thermo Fisher Scientific and its affiliates make no assertions or guarantees as to the services/products that third-party recyclers offer or their accuracy with regard to processes, results or outcomes. Thermo Fisher Scientific takes no legal or financial responsibility for services, products or the statements made by third-party recyclers, either on this page or in its marketing materials. Each customer of these recyclers must make its own determinations in whether to utilize these entities for their intended purposes.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.