Greener PCR Plastics: For a Sustainable Lab Future

The conversation around sustainability in scientific research often centres on reducing waste – particularly the enormous volume of single-use PCR plastics generated by laboratories. And while waste management is a critical part of the puzzle, a broader view of a product’s lifecycle must also be considered.

The production phase of plastic consumables also contributes significantly to their environmental impact, and addressing this earlier stage of the lifecycle offers another route to more sustainable lab operations.

This is the philosophy behind Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Sustain Series PCR plastics: to go beyond managing plastic waste and tackle the root issue of how these essential tools are made.

Broadening the definition of lab sustainability

As labs explore ways to reduce the environmental impact of their processes, there is increasing recognition that discussions of sustainability must move ‘beyond the bench’. This means considering the full lifecycle of a product: including design, manufacture, and logistics.

This has led Thermo Fisher to develop its Greener by design identification system. Greener by Design demonstrates how rethinking the materials used in production and their transportation to the end-user can significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining product quality. It’s also a challenge to labs to expand their view of sustainability to consider the entire lifecycle of their consumables, not just their end-of-life disposal.

A greener beginning for PCR plastic consumables

PCR plastics are indispensable for molecular biology, and by their nature, they must meet stringent performance and sterility requirements. However, the production of conventional plastic consumables involves the use of fossil fuel-based materials, which carry a heavy carbon footprint.

Thermo Fisher’s Sustain Series addresses this by using biobased, medical-grade virgin polypropylene derived from second-generation bio-circular feedstocks, such as waste and residue oils. The benefits include:

• Reduced emissions: The biobased resin used in Sustain Series products emits 1.96 times less CO₂e per kilogram compared to conventional fossil-based resins.

• Mass balance certification: By adhering to the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system, Thermo Fisher ensures transparency and traceability in the sourcing and production of these plastics.

Performance without compromise

Sustainability need not come at the expense of reliability. Sustain Series PCR plastics are manufactured to precise standards to ensure they meet the rigorous demands of molecular biology research:

To encourage adoption, Thermo Fisher has ensured that the Sustain Series integrates easily into existing workflows. The product line includes 96-well plates, 384-well plates, and strip tubes with attached or separate caps. The range is also fully compatible with Applied Biosystems thermal cyclers and other popular instruments.

Another small step

Sustain Series PCR plastics provide labs with another low barrier to entry for their sustainability journey – or the next logical step for those wondering how to move beyond waste management initiatives.

By expanding the scope of lab sustainability, researchers can contribute to global sustainability goals not just through waste management, but by choosing products that minimise environmental impact from the start.

Find out more by about Sustain Series of PCR Plastics  clicking here or read the green fact sheet for more details

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