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Chemcycle

Last Updated: February 16, 2024 11:08:04 AM PST
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Learn about Chemcycle, UC San Diego's chemical recycling program.

Chemcycle is the UC San Diego chemical recycling program operated by Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S).

Researchers can obtain free chemicals and donate usable and qualifying surplus chemicals. Chemcycle is good for the pocketbook and promotes sustainability.

Chemicals obtained through Chemcycle are solely for research use on campus. Non-campus, non-research activities cannot access or use Chemcyle.

Search and order free chemicals online. We pick up and deliver!

How to use Chemcycle

  1. Search the ChemCycle inventory and submit a query. (You can view all available chemicals if you want to see the entire inventory.)
  2. Select the checkbox next to the chemical(s) you wish to acquire.
  3. Click the Submit Request Form.
  4. Enter your contact details and click Submit Request.

Delivery options

  • Standard delivery occurs during the next scheduled hazardous waste collection for your building.
  • Contact the EMF, (858) 534-2753, for urgent deliveries (dependent upon delivery personnel availability).

Donate chemicals

Chemicals must be in the original manufacturer’s unopened container in good condition, with original label(s) intact.

Chemcycle acceptable chemicals: non-potential peroxide forming, virgin, unused factory sealed containers, e.g., ethanol, glycerol, 2-mercaptoethanol.

Chemcycle does not accept any mixtures, solutions, samples, expired, or degraded chemicals, e.g., research by-products, spent material, hazardous waste.

Chemcycle also does not accept the following restricted chemicals:

  1. DEA Controlled Substances
  2. DEA List I and List II Chemicals
  3. California Precursors, Select Agents
  4. Radioactive Materials

How to donate chemicals:

  1. Use the Online Waste Tag Program (OTP) to have EH&S hazardous waste technicians collect your usable chemicals.
  2. On the OTP's "Create Tag" screen, for "Indicate type of content" select Chemcycle.
  3. Complete and print a tag for the chemical. Request pickup for the container.
  4. Label the container with the waste tag and place it in your hazardous waste collection area.
  5. EH&S technicians will pick up the container on the next scheduled hazardous waste collection for your building.
For more information, contact Chemcycle, (858) 534-2753.
Notice: Disposal of hazardous waste using sinks, intentional evaporation, or as regular trash is against the law. Campus laboratories must abide by strict state and federal waste disposal requirements. You may be held liable for violations of applicable laws.