News

Circular sustainability – Dunn School lab plastics are recycled and manufactured into planters now growing produce in the department’s grounds.

Saroj Saurya, Chair of the Dunn School Green Group and Raff Lab Manager, commented: “I am thrilled to see our lab plastics transformed into beautiful planters, showcasing our commitment to circular sustainability. Thanks to the hard work of our scientists and the washing-up facility’s recycling efforts, we now have sturdy, long-lasting planters.”

The planters are the result of the Green Group’s Glove and Mask Recycling Initiative, which also includes other hard-to-recycle lab plastics. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and masks, is essential for safety in biomedical research laboratories. However, improper disposal of these items can lead to significant waste. The initiative tackles this issue by collecting used, uncontaminated PPE and hard-to-recycle plastics from designated bins across labs and common areas. These items are sent to MyGroup in Hull via Appleton Woods for recycling, where they are sterilised, processed, and repurposed. The recycling process involves shredding the plastic, transforming it into pellets, and then into powder, which is used to create new products, including the planters now in place.

The recycled plastic planters were installed by workshop technician Martin Smith, primarily in the moat at the front of the main building. They have been allocated to ten labs and teams, where they are being used to grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs, furthering the department’s sustainability efforts and enhancing the environment.

Support for the project includes funds secured by Freeman Group Lab Manager Clemence Levet, who organises the monthly green exhibits of our laboratory suppliers; compost donated by retailer B&Q; tools provided by the University of Oxford’s Sustainability Team; and a watering can on loan from Dunn School Facilities Manager Peter Stroud.

Looking ahead, the Dunn Drinks Green Awards will introduce a new category to celebrate the best-looking vegetable, fruit, or herb and its harvester, highlighting the connection between recycling and renewal and recognising efforts in both waste management and sustainable cultivation.

Planters made from recycled lab plastics are now growing produce.