Reducing lab waste through innovation and community action

Pavithra Prasad (MSc student), Vivian Peng (going into 4th year undergrad),

and Elham Pourian (PhD candidate), properly disposing of lab gloves for recycling in the

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.

To support sustainability and reduce the volume of laboratory waste sent to landfills, the University of Windsor has launched a new initiative aimed at recycling uncontaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) from labs across campus.

Gloves, masks, gowns, and hairnets that are free of contaminants are collected and sent to a specialized facility, where the materials are repurposed into new plastic products. 

This process not only reduces reliance on virgin materials but also supports the development of a more circular, sustainable economy.

In its first year, 28 labs from nine academic departments participated in the program, diverting more than 700 kilograms of single-use PPE from landfill — a mass equal to that of seven full-size refrigerators.

This effort reflects the University’s broader commitment to sustainability by embedding circular economy principles into campus operations. Creating standardized systems for recycling and waste diversion is a critical step toward achieving zero-waste practices in academic environments.

Among the early champions of this effort is John F. Trant’s research group, which has been deeply engaged in glove recycling efforts coordinated by Tina Lepine at the Chemical Control Centre. 

Their work builds on ideas from the growing Green Labs initiative, which promotes sustainable practices in research spaces.

Simple actions—such as glove recycling and lowering fume hood sashes when not in use — can significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining safe lab operations.

Graduate student Victoria Olga Kis credits a recent Green Labs workshop with deepening her understanding of how small behavioural shifts can create meaningful change.

“I didn’t realize how much our lab was contributing to the glove recycling program until I spoke with Tina,” Kis said. “The workshop opened my eyes to the broader practices being implemented at institutions across North America.”

The workshop, hosted by the Office of Sustainability and recommended by Lepine, emphasized how everyday choices—such as shutting off lab lights or closing fume hoods — can lower energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These insights have helped students see their role in shaping a more sustainable campus. 

“What felt like small actions have proven to be significant,” Kis added. “This is helping us move closer to a fully integrated Green Labs culture at the University of Windsor.”

This lab-based recycling program is part of a larger collaboration between the Office of Sustainability, the Chemical Control Centre, and research personnel across campus. It reflects a shared belief that thoughtful stewardship of resources must be part of how science is taught, practiced, and shared.

Through these partnerships and student-led actions, UWindsor continues to create inclusive, forward-looking research environments that prioritize environmental and community well-being.

To learn more about sustainable lab practices or to join the Green Labs initiative, contact the Office of Sustainability at sustainability@uwindsor.ca or the Chemical Control Centre at ccc@uwindsor.ca.

Courtesy: https://www.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/2025-05-20/reducing-lab-waste-through-innovation-and-community-action