In the User’s Laboratory:

1. Collect used Drosophila vials and bottles—either polypropylene (autoclavable) or polystyrene (clear, non-autoclavable)—in a designated container until full.

2. Freeze vials, bottles and fly vial and bottle trays (aluminium, steel or plastic) at −20 °C for at least 48 h or −70 °C for at least 24 h to eliminate flies and mites at all life stages.

3. Allow frozen vials, bottles and trays to thaw at room temperature for at least 2 h.

4. Remove flugs. Option A: Place in mesh laundry bags and wash on a quick delicate cycle (30 °C, slow spin) in a washing machine with unscented softener. Air-dry at room temperature and reuse if they still fit securely. Option B: If no longer usable, dispose of via general waste for low-temperature incineration.

5. Soak vials and bottles overnight in tap water with 0.2% disinfectant at room temperature to soften food and organic matter.

6. Scrape softened food and debris (including pupae, eggs, and larvae) with a spatula. Collect the waste in a beaker, blend into a slurry using a lab-dedicated blender, and dispose of down the sink with copious running water. (This method is environmentally preferable, as the waste enters sewage treatment where it is converted into biogas or biofuel.) If pupae remain attached to bottle walls, clean with a bottle brush.

7. After cleaning, send the vials, bottles, and trays (aluminium, steel or plastic) to the washing-up facility for dishwasher processing.

 

Washing up Facility:

1. Arrange vials and bottles upright on two fly trays (aluminium, steel or plastic).

2. Place one tray face down in a metal mesh tray, then position the upright tray on top and secure with a metal mesh cover.

3. Wash at 60 °C for 30 minutes in the dishwasher.

4. Remove trays and drain excess water by inverting several times.

5. Dry trays face down at 80 °C for 60 minutes in a drying oven.

6. Allow trays to cool and air-dry face down at room temperature.

7. Store clean vials and bottles in sealed polybags to prevent contamination. They are ready to refill with fly food.

 

Polypropylene/polystyrene vials last for >20 reuse cycles with careful handling.

Bottles usually last longer.

Stop reusing when cracks, cloudiness, or loss of transparency appear.

Recycle damaged items if accepted by your waste collector.

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Time Requirement

• Processing 100 vials ≈ 30 min

• Processing 100 bottles ≈ 90 min

 

Why This Matters

Reusing vials and bottles reduces plastic consumption, lowers costs, and avoids unnecessary incineration. Food waste is diverted into the sewage system where it is converted into biogas and biofuel, supporting renewable energy production. Together, these steps make fly research more sustainable while saving thousands of items from disposal every year.

“The Raff Lab: turning 1% recycling into 99% reuse and recycling, with just 1% incinerated.”

♻️ 85% Reused | 🔄 14% Recycled | 🔥 1% Incinerated