The circle is finally complete: first TipOne® racks made with recycled TipOne® plastic now on sale
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Recycling

The circle is finally complete.

Following the successful start of production in Germany in January, Starlab is now commencing sale of the first TipOne® racks with TipOne® recyclate. This marks the next milestone after years of development and the systematic establishment of a European recycling infrastructure: turning plastic lab waste back into high-quality lab products. Over 2000 laboratories are currently collecting and returning their TipOne® components, enabling a closed loop for lab polypropylene.

Breakthrough for Sustainable Laboratory Economy

The launch marks the highlight of a ten-year journey: from visionary product development to the establishment of a European recycling infrastructure, leading to the first production of new racks made primarily (75% TipOne® recyclate in the base) from the very material that the labs themselves have collected. Since 2021, labs in Germany, Austria, France, the UK, and from this year also in Italy, have been methodically collecting their TipOne® plastic waste through the recycling service.

Labs as Partners in the Circular Economy

“I certainly think that if you're using Starlab's pipette tips, people should take on the recycling scheme. It's seamless. It works really well in our lab,” explains Nisha Nair, Research Fellow at the University of Manchester.
“It has become clear that the separate collection and recycling via Starlab has resulted in significantly less plastic waste in our department,” reports Sabine Schramm, Medical Laboratory Assistant at Essen University Hospital.
“Our decision to join the recycling service was motivated by our commitment to reducing plastic waste and adopting closed-loop recycling,” emphasises Ines Husseini, Microbiology & Immunology Engineer at CovalX Analytics in Bordeaux.

Measurable Environmental Benefits Through a Circular Economy

Through collaboration with the REMONDIS Group, Starlab achieved significant resource savings in 2024:

  • The recycling programme saved 38.72 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2024.
  • This corresponds to the annual carbon sequestration of ~1,575 trees.
  • That is comparable to approximately 40% of the trees currently growing in London's Hyde Park (~4,000).

The calculation model was developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT), with REMONDIS Resource Management GmbH applying the model and issuing an official certificate.

Recognition as an Innovative Research Project

The German government has recognised Starlab's pioneering work: as the first company in the industry, Starlab received a Research Allowance Certification under the Research Allowance Act (FzulG). Starlab plans to expand the recycling programme to more European markets and further increase the recycling rate.