The University of Pittsburgh is dedicated to establishing practices and educational tools to reduce the quantity and environmental impact of materials entering and exiting the University. The Green Lab Sample Box Pilot is the product of a collaboration between Pitt Sustainability, Purchasing, the Sustainable Laboratories Committee, and Fisher Scientific to help reduce the environmental impact of products entering labs by offering sustainable alternatives to commonly purchased items. Every purchase is an opportunity to align our values at Pitt with our actions to contribute to a more sustainable future and help reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions.

Inside the Green Lab Sample Box

Why are these items sustainable?

• POLYCARBIN INC Non-sterile 1.5 mL Microcentrifuge Tubes (NC2065658)
  • This microcentrifuge tube is made using 20% circular economy, post-consumer recycled content.

• SW Solutions glove sample pack (17-441-000 (S), -001 (M), -002 (L), -003 (XL))
  • SW Solutions, a minority-owned business, provides biodegradable gloves to help reduce space taken up in landfills. Within 2.5 years, 92.6% of the original glove will be broken down.
    • SW gloves are not recommended for use with common solvents. Please refer to the Chemical Permeation Testing Guide pages (3-5) to determine if these gloves are suitable for your lab.

• Fisherbrand™ Sterile Polystyrene Disposable Serological Pipets with Magnifier Stripe (13-676-10F)
  • This disposable serological pipet is manufactured in a 100% renewable energy powered facility and is made with optically clear polystyrene for accurate measurement.

• Fisherbrand™ Labeling Tape (15-901-R)
  • This label tape roll is a non-toxic paper tape with rubber-based adhesive and is produced with a 100% recycled paperboard core.

• Falcon™ 50 mL High Clarity Conical Centrifuge Tubes (1443222)
  • This conical centrifuge tube, manufactured in a 100% renewable energy powered facility, is made of a sterile polypropylene material.

• Fisherbrand™ 4-Way Tube Rack (03-448-12)
  • This 4-way tube rack is manufactured by a small business, made of sturdy autoclavable material, and promotes a culture of reuse.

• Kimberly Clark sample glove pack (17-103-196A (XS), -196B (S), -196C (M), -196D (L), -196E (XL))
  • Kimberly Clark gloves are able to be recycled through The RightCycle Program. Labs only pay the cost of shipment for boxes sent to recycling centers to be turned into new plastic products and durable goods. Since 2011, this program has diverted over 5.5 million pounds of PPE and wet wipes from the landfill and provides employment opportunities for those with disabilities.

• Fisherbrand™ Sterile Standard Weighing Boat (01549750)
  • This sterile standard weighing boat is manufactured by a small business suitable for applications where there is concern of cross-contamination and ‘clean’ is a necessity.

• The Green Lab Sample Box
  • This sample box is made of 100% recycled content cardboard with an algae-based ink used to label the box. Once you are done with you Green Lab Sample Box you can simply break it down and place it into the recycling bin. This box was disrupted in partnership with the Pitt Deitrich Scientific Stockroom and CDI Printing, a local minority owned company with a Gold Medal Sustainability Rating from EcoVadis.

Order Your Green Lab Sample Box

We want to hear from you!

We would like to hear your feedback about this brand-new program and what kind of products you’d like to see in future sample boxes. Please take 5 minutes to fill out the survey below.

Are you a Pitt Green Lab?