PPE recycling at a life sciences facility

Scaling PPE recycling through optimized logistics and infrastructure.

A global life science and clinical research leader partnered with TerraCycle to scale its PPE recycling program. Limited internal storage and exposure to outdoor weather conditions made it difficult for their facilities to collect, store, and ship materials without risk of contamination or operational disruptions.

Our solution and results:

• Infrastructure optimization: Installed a covered outdoor storage area to protect collected PPE from weather-related degradation.
• Capacity expansion: Increased pallet storage capacity, allowing the site to manage higher volumes of waste.
• Logistics efficiency: Streamlined the shipment process to ensure maximum material density per pickup.

This strategic collaboration enabled the facility to improve both its operational and environmental performance:

• Logistical consolidation: Reduced the frequency and complexity of shipments by consolidating more material per transport.
• Operational resilience: Eliminated the risk of material contamination through weather-protected storage.
• Scalable sustainability: Significantly improved total recycling outcomes, allowing the facility to meet ambitious corporate waste reduction targets.