The main objective of the Sustainability Division of CLEEN is to improve recycling practices in labs by encouraging researchers to take control of the waste materials coming into and out of the lab. There is often a lack of organization associated with the maintenance of the waste stream that can be solved by education and oversight. The Sustainability Division seeks to foster alliances with individual labs to facilitate ongoing recycling initiatives.

Specifically, the Sustainability Division wishes to support Columbia’s Facilities department in promoting separation of paper, bottles, and trash, which can often be difficult in a hectic laboratory but can be achieved with proper attention and management. The recycling of acetone from glassware washing is another direction currently being pursued. Future projects will likely focus on recycling of packaging materials.

To read more about recycling at Columbia, click here.