Racks in circulation: Greiner Bio-One Hungary's Rack-Back initiative enters its fifth year
Greiner Bio-One is striving for a circular future in healthcare and the life sciences industry. With exemplary initiatives, we are providing impetus to keep resources increasingly in circulation. The Rack-Back initiative has been running for four years at the Mosonmagyaróvár site in Hungary since it was launched in March 2022. This initiative shows how empty pipette tip racks can be reused and supports laboratories on their way to a circular economy.
Why a Rack-Back initiative?
Pipette tip racks are among the most commonly used plastic products in laboratories. Despite their robustness, they are traditionally disposed of after only one use – often together with potentially hazardous waste, even though they are made of high-quality polypropylene and could easily be reused or recycled. This is where the Rack-Back initiative comes in: it aims to close the loop and keep valuable plastics in the system.
Dr. András Jancsó, Head of Sales – BioScience at Greiner Bio-One Hungary, launched this initiative with his team:
"Our mindset is strongly consequence driven: ‘For us, sustainability is not a goal, but a logical consequence of how we think and act on our core values.’ Our goal was truly about ‘making a difference’ – in every sense of the phrase. This approach has proven promising in many ways and continues to do so."
How the initiative works
Greiner Bio-One Hungary takes back intact, empty and clean pipette tip racks and rack inserts. They are collected by the cargo partner during regular deliveries. After cleaning and quality-checking, Greiner Bio-One then makes the racks available to customers free of charge for reuse. If racks are no longer usable, they are sorted by type and recycled by an external partner.
Measurable successes of the Rack-Back initiative
After four years in operation, the initiative impressively demonstrates how effective sustainable solutions can be in everyday laboratory work. By end of February 2026, a total of 10,883 racks were re-collected from customers. 2,094 of such re-collected racks were provided to customers for reuse. The initiative not only contributes to waste reduction but also saves valuable raw materials and strengthens sustainable laboratory processes.
Part of the Blue Plan sustainability strategy
As part of Greiner's Blue Plan sustainability strategy, our goal is to implement a circular economy. Our vision is to be a fully circular company by 2030. The Rack-Back initiative is one of our flagship projects that demonstrates how closed material cycles work in laboratory practice. It is therefore exemplary of the company's broad sustainability strategy and contributes to the group-wide goal of a circular economy.
"Sustainability and supporting activities are high on our agenda for 2026 – and are here to stay as an efficient way of making a difference," says Dr. András Jancsó.
Benefits for customers and the environment
- Sustainable without additional effort: Returns are made via existing supply chains.
- Cost savings: The reused racks are available to customers free of charge.
- Ecological added value: Reduction of plastic waste.
- Transparent processes: Clearly defined return and reuse standards.
Conclusion and outlook: promising results through perseverance
The Rack-Back initiative in Hungary is a prime example of how circular economy can be integrated into everyday laboratory life. After four years of continuous implementation, it shows that raising awareness takes time and effort, but it definitely pays off in the long run. Continuous promotion and cooperative customers are crucial for success. Greiner Bio-One will continue to pursue this path consistently – for greater sustainability, less waste, and a circular future in the healthcare and life sciences sector.
Circular economy and product sustainability
Learn more about our initiatives, how we reduce waste and further develop products, packaging, and technologies in line with the circular economy.
Learn more: https://www.gbo.com/en-int/sustainability/environment/circular-economy
