Environmental and economic impact assessment of single-use laboratory plastic waste: A case study

Tan, YH; Ong, HC; Raja Ali, RA; Gew, LT

Environmental and economic impact assessment of single-use laboratory plastic waste: A case study

Tan, YH Ong, HC Raja Ali, RA Gew, LT

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Cleaner Waste Systems, 2025, 12, pp. 100389
Issue Date:: 2025-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Tan, YH
dc.contributor.author	Ong, HC
dc.contributor.author	Raja Ali, RA
dc.contributor.author	Gew, LT
dc.date.accessioned	2026-06-19T02:17:10Z
dc.date.available	2026-06-19T02:17:10Z
dc.date.issued	2025-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Cleaner Waste Systems, 2025, 12, pp. 100389
dc.identifier.issn	2772-9125
dc.identifier.issn	2772-9125
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195416
dc.description.abstract	Research labs rely on disposable plastics for sterility, safety, and affordability, but their environmental and economic impact has been largely overlooked. While the impact of single-use plastics is well-known, laboratory waste poses an additional challenge due to necessary treatment processes. Hence, this study investigated both the environmental and economic impact associated with single-use plastic waste management in a university laboratory, serving as a case study for Southeast Asia. A retrospective analysis was conducted on laboratory plastic waste management between 2014 and 2023 at a Malaysian university. Three waste management methods, i.e. incineration, landfilling with microwave pre-treatment, and landfilling with ozone pre-treatment, were implemented at consecutive intervals. Environmental impact was assessed by quantifying the GHG emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂eq) emissions, while economic assessment was evaluated based on invoiced costs. A total of 29,180.11 kg of single-use plastic waste resulted in 46,420.08 kg CO₂eq emissions and a cumulative disposal cost of RM 84,890.49. Among the three methods, landfilling with ozone pre-treatment demonstrated the lowest environmental impact (1.55 kg CO₂eq/kg) and cost (RM 2.79/kg). Direct emission from the end-of-life stage was the main source of GHG emissions, while disposal fees represented the largest portion of total costs. In light of these findings, it is crucial for universities and research institutions to recognise the environmental and economic impact of laboratory single-use plastics. This case study will serve as a foundation for advancing pre-treatment technologies and future end-of-life solutions.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Cleaner Waste Systems
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.clwas.2025.100389
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.title	Environmental and economic impact assessment of single-use laboratory plastic waste: A case study
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	12
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-06-19T02:17:09Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	12

Abstract:

Research labs rely on disposable plastics for sterility, safety, and affordability, but their environmental and economic impact has been largely overlooked. While the impact of single-use plastics is well-known, laboratory waste poses an additional challenge due to necessary treatment processes. Hence, this study investigated both the environmental and economic impact associated with single-use plastic waste management in a university laboratory, serving as a case study for Southeast Asia. A retrospective analysis was conducted on laboratory plastic waste management between 2014 and 2023 at a Malaysian university. Three waste management methods, i.e. incineration, landfilling with microwave pre-treatment, and landfilling with ozone pre-treatment, were implemented at consecutive intervals. Environmental impact was assessed by quantifying the GHG emissions in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂eq) emissions, while economic assessment was evaluated based on invoiced costs. A total of 29,180.11 kg of single-use plastic waste resulted in 46,420.08 kg CO₂eq emissions and a cumulative disposal cost of RM 84,890.49. Among the three methods, landfilling with ozone pre-treatment demonstrated the lowest environmental impact (1.55 kg CO₂eq/kg) and cost (RM 2.79/kg). Direct emission from the end-of-life stage was the main source of GHG emissions, while disposal fees represented the largest portion of total costs. In light of these findings, it is crucial for universities and research institutions to recognise the environmental and economic impact of laboratory single-use plastics. This case study will serve as a foundation for advancing pre-treatment technologies and future end-of-life solutions.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195416