As Operations Manager for GreenLabs Recycling, a Boston-based specialty recycling company, Serena oversees all aspects of day-to-day operations. This includes coordinating communication between the collections team, who visit client facilities weekly to collect non-hazardous plastic items commonly used in laboratory research—such as pipette tip boxes and media bottles—and the clients themselves. With a degree in environmental sustainability from Tufts University, she has six years of experience in the recycling sector.
At GreenLabs Recycling, Serena is committed to enhancing sustainability efforts within the life science and biotech sectors. Acknowledging the significant use of single-use plastics in laboratory research, the company focuses on collecting and recycling these items to prevent them from ending up in landfills or incinerators. Despite challenges such as contamination concerns and limited acceptance from traditional recycling companies, GreenLabs provides a dedicated recycling solution for lab plastics, reducing waste and promoting the reuse of materials.
One of GreenLabs’ key upcoming initiatives is the launch of a 100% recycled tips transfer bin, manufactured from plastic collected from labs in the Boston area. This local approach to collection, recycling, remanufacturing, and redistribution is unique in the industry, as it minimizes emissions from shipping and supports the regional recycling industry.
By ensuring traceability throughout the entire process and offering recycled products back to the scientists who originally contributed the plastic, GreenLabs aims to build trust in the recycling process and showcase the effectiveness of their efforts.
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