Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 52.40
Liaison Andy Mitchell
Submission Date Sept. 11, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Illinois Chicago
IN-4: Innovation 4

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Cynthia Klein-Banai
Associate Chancellor for Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
The Pipette Tip Box Recycling Program

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:

UIC has added to its recycling program, #5 polypropylene plastic from pipette tip boxes, lids and trays found in Life and Medical Science Laboratories. Specially-marked bins have been placed near laboratories that use #5 polypropylene plastic, and will be recycled and eventually turned into other uses such as agricultural trays for plants. Currently UIC has recycled over 2 tons of #5 polypropylene plastic. Because this sort of plastic is not biologically or chemically contaminated, UIC is able to recycle it receive additional benefits from the recycling companies. These include no tipping fee and receiving $100 per ton recycled because the recycling company can later sell this material because of its higher quality, and uncontaminated state. This program is a highly sustainable initiative on campus because it reduces the amount of plastic that is landfilled, and also provides plastic recycling companies with plastic that would have otherwise been extracted from natural resources. This creates a positive environmental benefit for UIC, while also reducing economic costs associated with the tipping fee.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
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A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research ---
Campus Engagement ---
Public Engagement ---
Air & Climate ---
Buildings ---
Dining Services ---
Energy ---
Grounds ---
Purchasing ---
Transportation ---
Waste Yes
Water ---
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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