ACT - Assessing Product & Packaging End of Life
Packaging End of Life
Packaging from life science products remains a sizable waste stream for most organizations. Packaging is assessed and scored based on its most likely end-of-life scenario: landfill, recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or part of a take-back program. Packaging that is wholly reusable or part of a take-back program receives the lowest score of 1; packaging that is most commonly disposed of in a landfill receives a score of 10.
Packaging from life science products remains a sizable waste stream for most organizations. Packaging is assessed and scored based on its most likely end-of-life scenario: landfill, recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or part of a take-back program. Packaging that is wholly reusable or part of a take-back program receives the lowest score of 1; packaging that is most commonly disposed of in a landfill receives a score of 10.
Product End of Life
There are many end-of-life scenarios for life science research products due the wide variety of equipment, chemicals, and consumables available. Products may be sent to landfill, incinerated, used as fuel in waste-to-energy operations, recycled, neutralized (in the case of chemicals), compostable, or wholly reusable. Hazardous waste (both RCRA and non-RCRA) and non-hazardous waste are considered independently and according to standard regulatory requirements. Products that end their lives in landfills receive the highest score of 10; products whose manufacturers can demonstrate their diversion from landfill via recycling or another end-of-life scenario receive a lower score.
There are many end-of-life scenarios for life science research products due the wide variety of equipment, chemicals, and consumables available. Products may be sent to landfill, incinerated, used as fuel in waste-to-energy operations, recycled, neutralized (in the case of chemicals), compostable, or wholly reusable. Hazardous waste (both RCRA and non-RCRA) and non-hazardous waste are considered independently and according to standard regulatory requirements. Products that end their lives in landfills receive the highest score of 10; products whose manufacturers can demonstrate their diversion from landfill via recycling or another end-of-life scenario receive a lower score.