v2026.1CASRAI Dictionary 714 entries across 20 domains · CC-BY 4.0714 entries · CC-BY 4.0

Dictionary termTrack EStablev2026.2

Single-use plastic alternatives

Materials and product designs that substitute for traditional single-use polymer consumables in research workflows, including bio-based polymers, autoclavable glassware, reduced-plastic packaging, and refill-and-wash systems.

ByCASRAI Editorial Board

· Last updated 21 May 2026

Examples

Worked examples

Is an instance
A genomics lab pilots PHA pipette tips and runs a 6-month performance comparison against virgin polypropylene.
Is an instance
A supplier removes 60 percent of plastic packaging from PCR plate shipments by switching to fibre-based moulded inserts.

Counter-examples

Looks similar, but isn't

Not an instance
Switching one disposable plastic for another single-use plastic with no environmental benefit is not an alternative.
Not an instance
Adopting a bio-plastic that requires industrial composting unavailable in the region is greenwashing.

Editorial commentary

Alternatives include drop-in substitutes (bio-based PHA tubes for polypropylene tubes), workflow redesigns (centralised reagent dispensing replacing individual single-use bottles), and supplier-side reductions (bulk-packaging take-back, recyclable mono-material packaging). Evaluation requires lifecycle thinking: a bio-based plastic may have lower fossil input but worse end-of-life recyclability in a given region. The Sustainable Laboratories community curates an open list of validated alternatives.

References

LabConscious alternatives directory; International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories knowledge base.

Also known as

Plastic substitutes (lab) · Alternative consumables

Machine-readable encodings

Use in your systems

JATS XML <role> element

xml

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Schema.org DefinedTerm (JSON-LD)

json

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}

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