Which packaging can I reuse or recycle?
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Abcam is an environmentally conscious company, and tries to reduce waste as much as possible. Here we explain how you can safely and sustainably dispose of our packaging.
| Item | How to dispose of |
| Boxes | Recycle or reuse |
| Ice packs | Reuse, recycle shell, or return to us |
| Expanded polystyrene | Dispose according to local regulations |
| Vial holders / racks | Reuse, dispose according to local regulations, or return to us |
Boxes are made of cardboard; these are almost always recyclable and can be done through your local authority. They can be reused or kept for storage.
Ice packs
Our ice packs are made of recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which contain either a water or gel-based coolant. It’s worth checking local guidelines, but you can often recycle the HDPE shell after draining the coolant.
Ice packs can also be reused many times over, so long as they’ve not come into contact with any toxic material.
Large quantities of ice packs you've accumulated may be worth returning to us. We’re happy to arrange a collection of pallets of ice packs, which we will then dispose of ourselves. Please contact us using the orders address for your region to arrange collection.
Expanded polystyrene
Products delivered with dry ice are shipped in expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes to keep them cool.
It’s worth checking local guidelines, but EPS is not commonly recycled; it should usually be disposed of in domestic waste. At this time, we’re unable to accept returns of unwanted EPS packaging.
Vial holders / racks
Some of our vials are shipped with racks made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It's worth checking local guidelines, but PVC is not commonly recycled.
While racks can make a useful addition to your laboratory, over time you may accumulate more than you need. The good news is you can return any excess to us. To arrange a collection, contact us using the orders address for your region.
Alternatively, our vial holders can be stacked together like lego bricks — a feature which some customers like to have fun with.