Green Labs Program
UBC Okanagan’s Green Labs Program offers information and resources to help laboratories and departments reduce waste, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
By promoting sustainable research practices and encouraging more efficient use of materials and resources, the program supports a culture of environmental stewardship across campus research spaces.
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The Green Labs program at UBC Okanagan is demonstrating measurable success in reducing laboratory plastic waste, with significant growth across its recycling streams. Operated by the Sustainability Office with support by Health, Safety & Environment, the program has been active on campus for over 16 years and continues to scale its impact through targeted initiatives such as pipette tip and box recycling and personal protective equipment (PPE) diversion.
Recent data highlights substantial progress. PPE recycling has seen the most dramatic increase, growing from approximately 34 kg in 2022/23 to nearly 160 kg in 2025/26, an increase of over 350 percent. Similarly, pipette tip and tube recycling has expanded from its pilot phase to over 50 kg of material diverted annually, while pipette tip box recycling has remained consistently strong, increasing from about 50 kg to nearly 60 kg. Together, these efforts have contributed to a sharp rise in avoided emissions, with associated greenhouse gas reductions increasing from under 10 kgCO2e in early years to approximately 170 kgCO2e in 2025/26.
This progress highlights the strength of closed-loop recycling systems, where collected lab materials are remanufactured into new products, supporting a circular approach to plastics in research environments. With growing participation from researchers and continued program expansion, Green Labs is directly supporting UBC Okanagan’s Climate Action Plan 2030, which targets a 50 percent reduction in per capita waste. By scaling innovative recycling streams and embedding sustainable practices in research spaces, the program is helping make real progress toward reducing waste and emissions on campus.
The Green Labs Knowledge Exchange held in April 2026 brought lab faculty, managers, assistants and students together for an overview of programs and projects that can help to reduce the environmental impact of laboratory work.
Sponsored by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS)
Recycling
Whether you’re looking to divert lab plastics, pipette tip boxes or personal protective equipment from the landfill, these recycling programs offer practical solutions to help reduce waste and support a circular economy.
These programs are designed to make it easier for labs at UBC Okanagan to recycle more, waste less and contribute to a more sustainable campus.
UBC Okanagan uses thousands of single-use personal protective equipment (PPE) items each year. Help reduce landfill waste by participating in our PPE equipment recycling and diversion efforts.
For more information on the PPE recycling program and how you can participate, explore Personal Protective Equipment Recycling.
UBC Okanagan offers lab recycling programs for pipette tips, tubes and boxes to help divert plastic waste through Polycarbin and TerraCycle.
For more information on the pipette recycling programs and how to participate, explore Pipette Tip and Box Recycling.
Energy reduction
From reducing fume hood energy use to improving lab workflows and sustainable purchasing, the Green Labs Waste Reduction Programs help you operate more efficiently while lowering your environmental impact.
These resources empower lab users at UBC Okanagan to adopt best practices that support long-term sustainability in research environments.
Fume hoods are significant energy users at UBC Okanagan. Help reduce emissions and conserve energy by closing the sash when the fume hood is not in use.
For more information about the program and how to participate in the next challenge, explore Shut the Sash.
Other lab consumable programs
UBC Okanagan offers programs for the safe disposal of batteries, glass, and materials that are biohazardous or chemically contaminated. These items are classified as hazardous waste and are managed by Health, Safety and Environment in accordance with local, regional, and federal regulations.
Detailed hazardous waste disposal guides and procedures are available that support individual waste generators and the university in meeting compliance requirements and following best practices.