Pipette Tips Sustainable Practices

• Tips are normally made of #5 plastic (polypropylene)
• Recycling Tips is not practical in Malawi

Options/Ideas

1.Reusing pipette tips boxes to avoid plastic waste (requires autoclave) Link

Buying tips in bulk
Refiling boxes
Autoclaving 

• requires autoclave availability
• extra work to do
• saves money
• reduces waste

2. Tip Cleaning Machine: Link 1 Link 2

Small System – Cleans 6-8 racks of pipettes/ hour or (a rack every 6 minutes)
Does not use heat 
Pipettes can be reused multiple times
Personal soap mixture can be used
Produces non-toxic waste BUT requires their special neutralizing buffer

• Price is unknown – Worrying
• Looks like a new product and might be expensive

3. Washing Tips