Why waste remains a challenge for quality control labs
Every quality control lab faces the reality of plastic waste. Pipette tips, packaging, and consumables are often discarded as regulated waste, even when they pose minimal biological risk. These materials usually cannot be handled by local recycling programs, leaving labs with limited options.
At the same time, expectations are growing. Procurement teams, regulators, and employees are looking for measurable sustainability efforts, and labs are under pressure to show progress without compromising safety or compliance.
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The problem with the status quo
- High volumes of low-risk waste: Large amounts of consumables end up landfilled or incinerated every year
- Limited recycling options: Specialty lab plastics are rarely accepted by municipal systems
- ESG reporting pressure: Companies are expected to show measurable progress toward sustainability
- Cost and compliance concerns: Waste disposal adds expense and oversight without reputational benefit
Without a dedicated solution, labs remain stuck between operational demands and sustainability expectations.
How the Cartridge Recycling Program Works:
Charles River has partnered with TerraCycle to provide a turnkey recycling process designed specifically for Endosafe cartridges used in water testing. Participating labs follow four simple steps:
- Receive Your Zero Waste Box
- Collect Used Endosafe Cartridges
- Return Full Box for Recycling
- Keep the Cycle Going
This program reflects our long-term commitment to sustainability. More than 20 years ago, we introduced cartridge technology that reduced reliance on horseshoe crab raw materials by over 95%. With Endosafe® Trillium™, we advanced again, offering recombinant reagents to eliminate animal use. Cartridge recycling is the next step in this progression: addressing the remaining challenge of single-use plastic waste.
"Our cartridge recycling program works to address this challenge by offering a path to recycle these cartridges, reduce waste, and ultimately support labs seeking to align their testing workflows and supply chains with sustainability goals.” Read more
Matthew Hewitt, PhD, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Manufacturing Business Division, Charles River
By enrolling, labs participate in a broader effort to align testing workflows with environmental responsibility without losing the efficiency and compliance already built into Endosafe systems.
Benefits for Your Lab
The Cartridge Recycling Program was designed to support both daily operations and broader sustainability reporting.
Advance Sustainability Goals →
Reduce your lab's environmental footprint to support your organization's ESG commitments.
Support Circular Economy →
Recycle single-use plastics into raw materials that can be used in manufacturing new products.
No Workflow Disruption →
The program complements your validated endotoxin testing processes. No revalidation required.
Showcase Environmental Leadership →
Differentiate your lab as an early adopter of sustainable QC practices.
TerraCycle brings global credibility and third-party validation:
- Global operations: Active in 18 countries, partnering with businesses and labs to recycle materials not handled locally
- Independent certification: Processes certified by Bureau Veritas, with third-party Life Cycle Assessments showing recycling with TerraCycle is 73% better for the planet than landfill disposal and 67% better than waste-to-energy and incineration.
- Detailed reporting: Labs receive documented recycling reports that can be used in ESG statements, audits, and procurement reviews
- Shared commitment: We recycle all cartridges used in our own labs and manufacturing sites, reinforcing a reciprocal standard
"Through this partnership with Charles River, we’re providing a practical way to recycle a high-volume lab consumable that would otherwise be destroyed. By integrating resource recovery into lab operations, we’re making it easier for science to align with sustainability.” Read more
Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of TerraCycle
Program Availability:
| United States (contiguous) | United Kingdom | Ireland |
| France | Germany | Belgium |
| Netherlands | Spain | Switzerland |
Everything You Need to Enroll and Participate
| Resource | Overview | Language Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Cartridge Recycling Program Brochure | An introduction to the Charles River and TerraCycle® partnership, how the recycling process works, and what participating laboratories can expect. | English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish |
| Program Introduction Letter | Covers what the program includes, how the Zero Waste Box™ system operates, participation details, and benefits for your laboratory. | English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish |
| Cartridge Recycling Program User Guide | Step-by-step instructions covering how to assemble, fill, and return your Zero Waste Box™, including accepted cartridge types and how to arrange collection. | English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish |
| Cartridge Recycling Program FAQ | Answers to common questions about eligibility, accepted materials, shipping, what happens to recycled cartridges, and how to register for the program. | English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish |
What can and cannot be recycled
| Accepted | Not Accepted |
|---|---|
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Join the Program
Take the next step toward reducing your laboratory’s environmental footprint. Together with TerraCycle, Charles River is committed to helping labs create a more sustainable future for quality control testing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Endosafe® Cartridge Recycling Program with TerraCycle
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Is there a cost to participate in the recycling program?
No. Charles River is providing this complimentary service for our Endosafe cartridge clients to encourage participation and support sustainable practices.
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Why not recycle locally?
Endosafe cartridges are made from crystal styrene, which cannot be processed by municipal recycling systems. TerraCycle provides the infrastructure to handle them responsibly.
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Do I need to separate cartridge types?
No. All eligible cartridges can be collected together.
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Can I recycle other plastics?
Not at this time. The program currently supports cartridges only, though TerraCycle offers other recycling options separately.