In the realm of scientific research, laboratories have a crucial role to play in addressing the global climate crisis. As the epicenters of innovation and discovery, labs are now pivoting towards sustainable practices to reduce their environmental footprint. This shift towards sustainability is underscored by a growing awareness of the significant impact of lab operations on the environment, particularly in the field of microbiology.
Laboratories are increasingly implementing measures to reduce costs and enhance efficiency, while also mitigating their environmental impact. These initiatives range from reducing energy consumption to minimising waste and integrating sustainable practices into their operations.
Here we delve into the concept of sustainability in microbiology laboratories, exploring how these critical hubs of scientific research are adapting their practices to contribute to a more sustainable future.
The Sustainability Challenge for Labs:
Let’s face some of the stark realities of achieving sustainability in the lab, Laboratories, by nature, consume large amounts of water, energy, and single-use plastics. This makes achieving sustainability a significant challenge. In 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, stated that we have until 2030 to reduce emissions or face irreversible damage that will destroy ecosystems and leave millions of people in poverty.
A survey conducted by Thermo Fisher Scientific, found that only 42% of healthcare and food lab personnel had a sustainability plan in place. This statistic illustrates the uphill battle in achieving sustainability, as a significant proportion of labs are still without a comprehensive plan to reduce their environmental impact.
The challenge lies not only in reducing emissions and waste but also in changing mindsets and operational practices within the scientific community.
Environmental Impact of Labs:
Here are some of the key points that show the scale of impact labs have on the environment.
– Laboratories use 10 times more energy than offices.
– They also use 4 times more water than offices.
– Laboratories generate 5.5 million metric tons of plastic waste a year.
– Diverting just 2% of lab plastics from landfill would be equivalent to saving 100 million metric tons of CO2.
– A single -80° (ultra-low temperature: ULT) freezer can consume as much energy as a house in a day.
– Clinical laboratories use between three to six times more energy per unit surface area than a typical commercial building.
– Laboratories contribute to CO2 emissions by consuming electricity, water, and gas through their instruments, HVAC systems, lights, and computers.
– They also produce a staggering amount of waste, with thousands of plastic petri dishes, bottles, vials, pipettes, and pipette tips passing through a typical facility every week.
– Biomedical and agricultural laboratories alone are responsible for 5.5 million metric tons of plastic waste each year, equating to the weight of 67 cruise liners or 83% of all the plastic recycled worldwide in 2012.
Clinical laboratories place emphasis on time to results and patient experience, rather than the environmental impact of the work. But the two are not mutually exclusive.
Our Voice of the Customer survey found high levels of packaging waste. Cardboard boxes with plastic bags, and cardboard boxes with cardboard/paper dividers were the most common type of packaging for plated culture media. Just 7% of respondents received deliveries in reusable plastic crates, and 1% in re-usable delivery carts.
The Shift to Sustainability in Labs:
The industry has seen a significant shift towards sustainability in laboratories, driven by the increasing awareness of environmental impact and the need for change. Here are some key trends that point to the same:
– The Green Lab movement, which focuses on energy management and expanding reuse and recycle initiatives, has gained momentum in recent years.
– The Lab Innovations trade show in 2018 cemented the trend by focusing on sustainability in the laboratory.
– Respondents to the Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Voice of the Customer survey almost unanimously agreed that the focus on sustainable laboratories would continue to grow.
– The majority of respondents expect many current products and processes to become “greener” in the next three years.
There is a clear direction of travel towards more sustainable practices in the laboratory industry, as evidenced by the responses in the survey.
What does sustainability in the lab look like?
Let’s look at some practical advice on how laboratories can focus on sustainability and reduce their environmental impact.
Firstly, we need to scrutinise the current processes and resources used to identify areas where emissions and waste can be reduced. This includes everything from basic energy-saving measures to complete redesigns of processes and facilities with a “green” mindset.
Some tips to that can be implemented right away include using reusable glass flasks instead of plastic ones, reusing plastic bottles, seeking out more environmentally friendly products, and reducing the environmental impact of cold storage by raising temperatures where possible and choosing more energy-efficient equipment when replacing old ones.
Another important factor to consider is the implementation of energy management strategies, such as turning off equipment when not in use. Laboratories are also encouraged to take a green chemistry approach by questioning protocols and always using the safest and most sustainable products.
When items are not recyclable, labs can make greener purchasing decisions by choosing products with the most sustainable manufacturing processes that can reduce the overall scope 3 environmental impact for the lab A sustainable laboratory seeks to minimize the impact of products, processes, tests, and waste on the environment. This commitment to sustainability is a critical step towards reducing the environmental impact of the scientific community and contributing to a more sustainable future.
How Thermo Fisher Scientific help you achieve a sustainable Lab:
Thermo Fisher Scientific is committed to helping laboratories achieve sustainability. We have set up a steering committee to direct sustainability initiatives, including measures to reduce costs by amalgamating redundant sectors.
We’ve also created greener product alternatives that minimize hazardous chemicals, reduce waste, and increase energy efficiency. By incorporating principles of green chemistry and engineering into our product design, we are minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Our products are part of the ACT eco-label program, providing an environmental impact score, and helping customers make informed, sustainable choices.
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