Laboratory Plastic Recycling: Symposium on Sustainable Research at Uni Wien and beyond

On 24 February 2026, more than 100 participants gathered at the University of Vienna Biology Building to discuss sustainability challenges in research, with a particular focus on laboratory plastic. Sustainability officers, waste managers and experimental scientists from the University of Vienna and beyond engaged in an active discussion about practical solutions, institutional frameworks and pathways for systemic transformation.

The symposium demonstrated that laboratory plastic recycling is both feasible and scalable, and that meaningful reductions in lab plastic waste require changes at the supplier and procurement levels, as well as within established laboratory practices. Discussions made clear that coordinated action across disciplines and organisational levels is required to achieve lab sustainability goals in all areas, including energy, water, purchasing and waste. The important role of sustainability networks and certification tools in knowledge dissemination was emphasized. The exchange reflected a strong willingness within the scientific community to take responsibility, alongside the recognition that institutional measures are essential to accelerate sustainability transition.

A central theme of the day was the transition from isolated initiatives to scalable solutions. University of Vienna was the first in the EU to start recycling laboratory plastic. The pilot was initiated by a handful of Green Labs Austria members together with the organization Helfen statt wegwerfen. Here scientists obtained the expertise in proper separation and pre-treatment of selected plastic fractions, which allowed a smooth transition to an institutionalized cooperation with the waste disposal company Saubermacher. The process included creating a lab plastic recycling guideline, which other institutions can take inspiration from. 

The discussion showed that although technically feasible, long-term success depends on clear responsibilities and support from central administration, integration into safety and waste regulations and good communication and training of the participating scientists.

The need for lab sustainability standards was emphasized throughout the event. Certifications such as LEAF or MyGreenLab are already wide-spread and have led to large greenhouse gas and monetary savings. Unlike those, the new lab certification platform SPARKHub is open-source and financed by European funders. It offers standard sustainable actions and footprint calculators for many different research fields. 

Apart from full certifications, smaller community-lead projects can also lead to meaningful change. One such project is the international Freezer Challenge, a competition to improve cold storage efficiency in laboratories. This year, the University of Vienna is joining the Freezer Challenge and all labs are welcome to sign up here!

The symposium demonstrated both challenges and solutions in implementation of sustainable laboratory practices. Three key messages emerged:

1. Lab plastic recycling is feasible
   Pilot projects show that selected plastic streams can be safely recycled under defined conditions and this process can be scaled up.
2. Institutional embedding is crucial
   Sustainable laboratories require integration into governance structures, procurement, safety management and communication strategies.
3. Collaboration accelerates transformation
   National and European networks provide essential platforms for learning, coordination and accelerated implementation.

The high number of participants and the diversity of perspectives underscored the relevance of the topic. The University of Vienna positions itself as an active contributor to this transformation process by combining operational measures, research expertise and international networking. Taken together, the symposium reinforced ongoing collaboration toward more sustainable research infrastructures at the University of Vienna and beyond.