Designing for Green and Grey: Insights from Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles
Recognizing modern society’s multiple risks, this study examines single-use plastic water bottles at the intersection of environmental degradation and societal carelessness for the elderly. While prioritising economic profits and plastic waste, we have neglected bottles’ typical poor openability for older people. Thus, we evaluated the openability of bottles with environmentally friendly and socially inclusive designs in South Korea by comparing older and younger adults’ experiences. Integrating different attributes than existing studies that analyse opening torque or one-handed opening, the test results show that older adults experience the poorest two-handed openability when bottles have both a weight thickness lower than 14.42 g and an easily squeezable bottle structure.
In South Korea, companies advocate eco-friendliness by valuing lighter weight with less plastic and support user-friendliness by adopting easily squeezed sidewall patterns, while the industry maintains broad opening torque regulations; however, we show this combination exceeds older users’ capabilities. That is, for openability, bottles need to keep a weight thickness greater than 12 g Plastic Bottle manufacturer, abandon easily squeezed sidewall patterns or reduce the opening torque regulation range to 100 N-cm. These socially favourable but ecologically adverse measures will be sustainable when the efficient linear economy transitions to an effective circular economy.
Non-target screening for the identification of migrating compounds from reusable plastic bottles into drinking water
- Reusable plastic sports bottles are used extensively worldwide, and little is known about the migration of chemicals from the bottles into drinking water. In this study, we investigated the chemical migration into drinking water stored for 24 h in new bottles, used bottles and bottles washed in the dishwasher.
- Non-target screening (NTS) by liquid-chromatography – high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) was performed to identify these compounds. We detected > 3500 dishwasher related compounds, with 430 showing migration even after subsequent flushing of the bottles.
- In addition, more than 400 plastic related compounds were detected, with high peaks for oligomers suspected to originate from the biodegradable polyester polycaprolactone, and aromatic amines, which may have been introduced as slip agents or antioxidants. These compounds have never been reported before in bottled water.
- Most of the identified compounds migrating out of the used bottles were plasticizers, antioxidants or photoinitiators. The presence of photoinitiators are of particular concern, due to possible endocrine disrupting effects. Furthermore, diethyltoluamide (DEET) was detected, which may have been formed from the plasticizer laurolactam.
- Typically, the dishwashing process enhanced the leaching of plastic related compounds, and even after additional water flushing, the average peak intensity of these compounds was only reduced by half.
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived from recycled polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) bottles were investigated in both batch and column studies for the removal of arsenate. As-synthesized Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF, and La-MOF were systematically analyzed by SEM, PXRD, FTIR, BET, and XPS techniques. The obtained MOFs showed high crystallinity with the specific surface area of 128.3, 290.4, and 61.8 m2/g for Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF, and La-MOF, respectively.
- The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model simulated arsenate adsorption on MOF materials well, which can be explained by electrostatic interactions, surface complexation, and ligand exchange mechanisms. The maximum adsorption capacities of arsenate onto Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF, and La-MOF were found to be 70.02, 85.72, and 114.23 mg/g at pH 7, respectively.
- The effect of pH and co-existing anions on the arsenate adsorption on MOF materials was also evaluated for practical applications. The MOF materials showed reduced adsorption capacity for arsenate by less than 10% up to four cycles of regeneration and did not induce any significant (p > 0.05) acute toxicity (<2.5% mortality) in Daphnia magna.
- In a flow-through system, Fe-MOF, Zr-MOF, and La-MOF were used to treat 176, 255, and 398 mL bed volumes of arsenate contaminated water, respectively, and consistently reduced the concentration of arsenate ions from 500 to 10 μg/L. This study clearly demonstrated that MOF materials derived from waste PET bottles are economically promising adsorbents for the successful elimination of arsenate species from aqueous environments.
From bottle to microplastics: Can we estimate how our plastic products are breaking down?
Microplastics (MPs) have become an emerging new pollutant of rising concern due to the exponential growth of plastics in consumer products. Most MP and nanoplastic pollution comes from the fragmentation of plastics through mechanical stress, chemical reactions and biological degradation that occurs during use and after disposal. Models predicting the generation and behavior of MP in the environment are developing, however there is lack of data to predict the rates of MP generation as a function of the abrasive forces. A method to deliver scalable, quantitative release rates of MPs during mechanical stress throughout a plastic’s life cycle (e.g., sanding, chewing, river and ocean disposal) is described. A custom abrasion machine was built with features to provide data to calculate power input.
The generation rate of MPs through abrasion was tested for the following 3D printed polymers: polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PC), thermoplastic polyurethane 85A (TPU), polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PETG), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), and nylon. Each material underwent tensile strength material tests to identify which mechanical properties drive their abrasion rate. Abrasion rate was not observed to correlate to macroscopic mechanic properties. Results indicate that the order of abrasion from most to least were HIPS, nylon, PC, PLA, PETG, and then TPU. This study will help comprehend and provide data to understand generation rates of MPs from consumer plastic products and macro-plastic debris. This will be instrumental in helping to better understand the release of MPs and nanoplastics into the environment and to provide data for fate and transport models, especially in order to predict the amount of plastic entering water systems. MP generation rates and power inputs can be correlated with each plastic’s use to inform which release the most MPs and how to better change these products in order to reduce pollution in water sources.
Social Comparison Information Influences Intentions to Reduce Single-Use Plastic Water Bottle Consumption
Duran Bottles 100Ml Plastic coat |
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F94003 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 219.6 EUR |
Plastic bottles 250ml supply/waste |
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WAT4842 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK2 | 202.37 EUR |
Disposable Meat Sample Plastic tubes with caps (5 ml) (1000/pk) |
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MST5-1000 | Alpha Diagnostics | 1 pk | 343.2 EUR |
Flystuff (59-194P) Droso-Plugs Cap for Plastic Bottles |
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FLY1094 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK2560 | 1825.2 EUR |
Corning 1L Square Polycarbonate Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431433 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 212.4 EUR |
Corning 150mL Square Polycarbonate Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431430 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 106.8 EUR |
Corning 250mL Square Polycarbonate Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431431 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 111.6 EUR |
Corning 500mL Square Polycarbonate Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431432 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 153.6 EUR |
Corning 1L Easy Grip Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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430518 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 254.4 EUR |
Disposable Meat Sample Plastic tubes with caps (5 ml) (250/pk) |
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MST5-250 | Alpha Diagnostics | 1 pk | 123.6 EUR |
Corning 250mL Easy Grip Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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430281 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 126 EUR |
Corning 500mL Easy Grip Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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430282 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 171.6 EUR |
Corning 150mL Easy Grip Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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431175 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 121.2 EUR |
Costar 1L Traditional Style Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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8396 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 | 128.4 EUR |
Costar 125mL Traditional Style Polystyrene Storage Bottles with 45mm Caps |
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8388 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK24 | 112.8 EUR |
SCREW CAPS WITH "O" RINGS. BROWN |
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SCO-BR | CORNING | 500/pk | 444 EUR |
Reagent Bottle Clear Narrow neck with plastic stopper 100ml |
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BOT2136 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 39.24 EUR |
Reagent Bottle Clear Narrow neck with plastic stopper 250ml |
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BOT2138 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 47.76 EUR |
Reagent Bottle Clear Narrow neck with plastic stopper 50ml |
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BOT2140 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 40.2 EUR |
Reagent Bottle Amber Narrow neck with plastic stopper 100ml |
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BOT2150 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 53.16 EUR |
Reagent Bottle Amber Narrow neck with plastic stopper 250ml |
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BOT2152 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 68.4 EUR |
Reagent Bottle Amber Narrow neck with plastic stopper 500ml |
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BOT2154 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 106.8 EUR |
Reagent Bottle Amber Narrow neck with plastic stopper 50ml |
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BOT2156 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 46.92 EUR |
DURAN protect Laboratory bottle with DIN thread plastic coated GL 25 without cap and without pouring ring 10 ml |
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BOT1190 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 248.4 EUR |
Pyrex WM Bottles with Cap and Ring - 250mL |
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152306 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 152.4 EUR |
LCP EZ-Cut films (50 pieces, with liners) |
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MLCP-EZCTF-50 | MiTeGen | 50 FILMS | 234 EUR |
Bottles Cf 250 Ml Pc +Cap |
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3140-0250 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK4 | 150 EUR |
Bottle Azlon PPR Brown 150ml |
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BOT3382B | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 20.4 EUR |
Pump Sampler Set with Glass Bottles |
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SAM1517 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 237.6 EUR |
Bottles 2L Nalgene with Quick Connect |
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BTLN52 | Next Advance | 2pack | 190.8 EUR |
Bottle Duran Plastic Coat 1L W/out Cap |
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2180554 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 40.8 EUR |
Pump Sampler Set with 12 x PE Bottles 150ml |
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SAM1521 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 202.8 EUR |
Pump Sampler Set with 5 x PE Bottles 250ml |
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SAM1522 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 202.8 EUR |
DURAN protect Laboratory bottle plastic coated GL 45 10000 ml |
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BOT1236 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 624 EUR |
DURAN protect Laboratory bottle plastic coated GL 45 15000 ml |
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BOT1238 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 1014 EUR |
DURAN protect Laboratory bottle plastic coated GL 45 20000 ml |
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BOT1240 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 1351.2 EUR |
Bottles Nalgene 500 Ml |
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2107-0016 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK16 | 392.4 EUR |
Media bottles 500 ml petg |
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Z377058-1CS | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK70 | 466.8 EUR |
Bottle Duran Plastic Coated 5L. |
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2180573 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 416.4 EUR |
Bottle Pyrex Plastic Coat 10Ltr |
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1518/18 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 597.6 EUR |
Reagent Bottle Plastic Coated 2L |
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151812 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 704.4 EUR |
Bottles Cent Pc 500 Ml |
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3140-0500 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK4 | 183.6 EUR |
100ml Clear PET Plastic Sirop Bottle |
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100MLCPET | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 0.83 EUR |
White Mob Caps in Plastic Bags |
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SAF9580 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 16.62 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, 125ml, Natural |
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B003N-125 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 69.92 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, 15ml, Natural |
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B003N-15 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 65.22 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, 250ml, Natural |
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B003N-250 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 72.53 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, 30ml, Natural |
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B003N-30 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 67.31 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, 500ml, Natural |
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B003N-500 | Bio Basic | 5UNIT | 75.66 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, 70ml, Natural |
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B003N-70 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 68.88 EUR |
Spray bottle with air spray - 50 mL |
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DD670885 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 12 EUR |
Bottles Amber Hdpe 125 Ml Nn |
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2004-0004 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 | 36 EUR |
Adapter 250 mL bottles high-cap |
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E5920717006 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 319.2 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, Sterile, 125ml, Natural |
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B003N-S125 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 70.44 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, Sterile, 15ml, Natural |
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B003N-S15 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 65.75 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, Sterile, 250ml, Natural |
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B003N-S250 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 73.06 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, Sterile, 30ml, Natural |
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B003N-S30 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 67.84 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, Sterile, 500ml, Natural |
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B003N-S500 | Bio Basic | 5UNIT | 76.19 EUR |
Plastic Bottle, Wide Neck, Sterile, 70ml, Natural |
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B003N-S70 | Bio Basic | 10, 10UNIT | 69.4 EUR |
MiniVac Plastic Tubing Instrument to Bottle Lid |
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ARG1242 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 17.82 EUR |
BROWN LOOPED SCREW CAPS WITH "O" RINGS. FITS 0.5ML, 1.5ML AND 2.0ML TUBES |
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SCO-LP-BR | CORNING | 500/pk | 451.2 EUR |
Bottles Wash W/M Ldpe 500 Ml |
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2402-0500 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK4 | 34.8 EUR |
Duran Bottles 1000ml No Cap |
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F93990 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 157.2 EUR |
Bottles N/M Amber 30 Ml Nalgene |
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2004-0001 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK72 | 162 EUR |
Flat One Piece Moulded Plastic Lid to suit 1 Litre Capacity Bath |
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BAT7278 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 44.4 EUR |
Flat One Piece Moulded Plastic Lid to suit 3 Litre Capacity Bath |
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BAT7280 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 48.36 EUR |
Flat One Piece Moulded Plastic Lid to suit 6 Litre Capacity Bath |
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BAT7282 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 56.16 EUR |
Flat One Piece Moulded Plastic Lid to suit 12 Litre Capacity Bath |
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BAT7284 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 175.2 EUR |
Flat One Piece Moulded Plastic Lid to suit 30 Litre Capacity Bath |
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BAT7286 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 189.6 EUR |
Honey Jar 375ml with Plastic Cap Sterile |
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CON7774 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK100 | 96 EUR |
Tube Culture With Svl Plastic |
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B99485 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK40 | 442.8 EUR |
Heat Extractor with Plastic Knob |
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IMS006 | ScyTek Laboratories | 1 ea. | 164.4 EUR |
Staining Dish with Cover Plastic |
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X24085 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 156 EUR |
Bottle Amber Lab Bottles 500ml |
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218064406 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 487.2 EUR |
Nalgene narrow-mouth boston round bottles HDPE with PP closure bulk pack |
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312002-0032 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK50 | 266.4 EUR |
4oz Clear Bottles |
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BP4OZC | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK80 | 49.2 EUR |
Adapter tubes/ bottles/ plates |
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E5910751001 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK2 | 448.8 EUR |
Rack For 9 Bottles 2000ml |
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WAS6164 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 537.91 EUR |
Rack For 16 Bottles 1000ml |
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WAS6166 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 356.43 EUR |
Mycoprep 75Ml Bottles |
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240862 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK10 | 139.7 EUR |
FiveGo sample bottles |
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PHM0033 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK4 | 28.8 EUR |
Rack For 20 Bottles 500ml |
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WAS6168 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 407.35 EUR |
Rack For 44 Bottles 100ml |
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WAS6172 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 507.88 EUR |
Corning Storage Bottles 250ml |
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BOT8390 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 | 102 EUR |
Corning Storage Bottles 500ml |
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BOT8393 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 | 90 EUR |
Pallet Knife with Plastic Handle 100mm |
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SAM1325 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 10.8 EUR |
Pallet Knife with Plastic Handle 200mm |
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SAM1326 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 14.4 EUR |
Pallet Knife with Plastic Handle 300mm |
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SAM1327 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 22.8 EUR |
Pen for Azlon Bottles |
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BOT9173 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK2 | 24 EUR |
Bottles Boston PC 500mL |
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BOT0350 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 | 190.8 EUR |
Bottles Boston PC 1000mL |
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BOT0352 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK12 | 199.2 EUR |
Square bottle 500 mL sterile with septum cap Nalgene |
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DD29554 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK40 | 492 EUR |
Support stand with plastic convertor clamp |
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HOM2662 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 424.32 EUR |
Nalgene Square Media Bottles PETG with HDPE closures in shrink wrapped trays. sterile. |
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342020-0030 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK280 | 901.2 EUR |
Plastic tuberculine syringe with drain tube |
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WAT4836 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 188.01 EUR |
Plastic syringe 30ml with tube and clip |
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WAT4838 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | EACH | 188.01 EUR |
60ml HDPE Nalgene Bottles |
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3121890002 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK1000 | 1260 EUR |
Bottles Powder Clear 250ml |
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BP250C | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK42 | 24 EUR |
Powder Bottles 30ml Clear |
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BP30C80 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK80 | 30 EUR |
Sample Bottles Undosed Sterile Green Cap 1000ml |
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WAT5624 | Scientific Laboratory Supplies | PK56 | 110.4 EUR |