Pipette tips are an instrument in the laboratory used in transferring liquids in small volumes; reusing them is a way of ‘saving’ on the plastics used and, at the same time, conserving plastics; however, this should be done in a way that does not compromise the results obtained. However, some conditions and ways of pipette tip re-use are allowed and safe to use in most cases. This article shall outline the factors that should be considered in deciding whether to reuse pipette tips, how to clean and sterilize them, and how to get the right results.
The only drawback of reusing pipette tip is that they may cause cross-contamination, which is risky because it may alter the results and the experiments being conducted. Pipette tips are normally disposed of after use to avoid contamination or interference from one sample to another. However, there are occasions when pipette tip reuse is not a major problem, for example, when working with non-sterile solutions or when pipetting the same solution repeatedly.
When reusing pipette tips, the following factors must be considered before they are used again. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the peculiarities of the samples you will use in your work. If you use biological samples, highly reactive chemicals, or other substances, changing the pipette tips after every sample will be better. Secondly, one should consider the accuracy level required for the given experiment. If accuracy is needed, then it is advisable to use a new tip to avoid any change in the results. Last but not least, a cost-benefit analysis has to be conducted. While pipette tip may be used repeatedly, the cost of a bad outcome is probably much higher than that of a new tip.
In some instances where there is no possibility of cross-contamination of samples or contamination of the pipette tip, they can be reused. For example, if you are pipetting large volumes of the same non-hazardous solution like buffer solutions and there is no problem with cross-contamination, then the tips should be used more than once. Furthermore, the pipette tips can be reused if the serial dilutions or repetitive dispensing is done with the same sample. In such a case, ensuring that the tip has not been rendered unusable by being contaminated somehow becomes important.
If you are using pipette tips and want to use the same tips to dispense another solution, washing the pipette tips is necessary. The following steps outline an effective cleaning process:
The following are some of the major benefits of reusing pipette tips which if adopted can significantly enhance the functionality of a laboratory. It is possible to save the pipette tips after use and clean them for reuse in other samples, which will help to cut costs on consumables and reduce the amount of plastic waste generated. There is also a decrease in the amount of purchases for new consumables; therefore, reusing pipette tips is an environmentally friendly practice in scientific research. Moreover, when sterilized properly, pipette tips can preserve the experiments’ reliability and be environmentally friendly at the same time.
Although reusing pipette tips is a good way to save money, one must know its drawbacks. Pipette tips, if reused, undergo wear and tear and hence do not fit well and can easily be contaminated. Furthermore, depending on the type of material used, such as low-retention pipette tips, pipette tips are less effective if used after being cleaned and reused. There is also a possibility that some of the contaminants need to be effectively cleaned and sterilized, especially if the original sample is highly viscous or sticky. Hence, reusing pipette tips should be discouraged and only done where the risks are at the lowest.
It is possible to reuse pipette tips in some laboratory circumstances, often when handling non-sterile samples or executing multiple pipetting steps. Contamination is a real concern; to reduce this risk, the right cleaning and sterilization procedures must be used and followed to the letter. It is, therefore, important to weigh the needs of your experiment and the type of samples you will be using to decide whether re-using pipette tips is suitable for your lab.
It is relatively safe to use pipette tips more than once in many applications as it is in the cases of non-sterile laboratories or non-critical samples. But if the experiment must be very clean or if there is a possibility of cross-contamination, it is advisable to use a new pipette tip to avoid any compromise on the results.
However, pipette tips that have been used should be cleaned and sterilized so that they can be used again. This can be achieved by washing the tips with the right solvent and then subsequently sterilizing the tips by autoclaving at the right temperature and pressure to eliminate all contaminants. There is always a set of guidelines that need to be followed in your laboratory to ensure the validity of the results obtained.
The use of pipette tips can be reused to minimize the amount of plastic waste that is generated in the lab since it is a major source of pollution. Such reusing of tips helps laboratories save on plastics, order fewer supplies, and generally adopt more sustainable laboratory practices.
