Sustainable, as in environmental- and resource-friendly, work and life are not a state, but a process. Especially in the laboratory sector, where new solutions and materials often have to be found first in order to make everyday laboratory life more sustainable. As with the energy transition, laboratories and manufacturers face the challenge that proven and, above all, safe applications and protocols cannot be replaced so easily. But here too, every small step is a step in the right direction - whether it is proven methods from the private sector that can also be implemented in everyday professional life, or innovative manufacturing solutions that gradually make the laboratories of this world greener. Therefore we compiled our best tips for a more sustainable laboratory.
Tip 1: Reduce waste instead of producing it
Practices already undertaken in our private lives can be easily integrated into everyday working life: with reusable drinking bottles instead of plastic bottles, reusable lunch boxes containing homemade lunches instead of takeaways in disposable containers, and classic coffee making instead of using a capsule machine. These are all really easy ways to reduce the consumption of plastic and other disposable materials on a daily basis.
Tip 2: Don’t just fill - refill!
Not only do pipette tips themselves cause a lot of plastic waste in the lab, but the racks they are supplied in are usually thrown away too. So why not use refill systems? Refills significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste and allow you to refill and reuse the tip racks that are already in your lab. Our TipOne® sterile tip refill system, for example, uses up to 63% less plastic compared to racked tips. TipOne® refill systems are easy to use and there’s no risk of contamination when refilling.
Tip 3: Reuse, not refuse
Choose products for your lab that can be reused. For example, our TipOne® tip racks can be reused again and again with the refill systems; the racks have been tested and can withstand at least 100 autoclave cycles without damage or warping. The sturdy, durable racks can also be reused for storing tubes and caps and other small items on your bench or in the hood to keep them to hand and dust free. They are stackable and make excellent little storage containers.
Tip 4: Recycle what can be recycled
What ends with waste separation in the laboratory, begins with the use of recyclable packaging materials at the manufacturer. When purchasing, to reduce waste, laboratories can take into account the amount of packaging material supplied with each product, whether it is excessive, and whether it is recyclable. Also, consider manufacturers that offer take back schemes, like Starlab’s TipOne recycling scheme where the plastic is collected and sent for processing and ultimate reuse.
Tip 5: Care for equipment
It doesn't matter whether it's a small device like a pipette, or a large item like a freezer: if you take care of your equipment, it will last longer and produce less waste. What many people don't realise however, when it comes to lab fridges and freezers, is that high energy consumption can be prevented with regular care. Both should be frost-free and cleaned regularly, otherwise the energy consumption for your sample storage will continue to increase due to ice build up. If buying new cold storage equipment, consider a self defrosting device that makes laboratory life easier.
Tip 6: Think before you print
That goes for the lab too. Those who still painstakingly document their work protocols and reports in lab books and on printed images, not only create a lot of unnecessary work for themselves, but also produce eventual waste that doesn't need to be there. Digitalisation is slowly making its way into the laboratory world, but laboratories cannot always afford expensive equipment or software. But you only need to start small, then you are already heading in the right direction.
Tip 7: Establish sustainability as part of the corporate culture
An important step in the direction of sustainability currently being taken by many companies, is the creation of dedicated positions in the team, specifically for this purpose. We, for example, have appointed a Green Officer who is responsible for defining and advancing various areas of sustainability within the company, such as working with product managers to develop innovative ways to make products greener, transforming customer feedback into ideas, and sharing and implementing internal green practices across the group. Those who integrate sustainability into their corporate ethos in this way, not only create credibility both internally and externally, they can also use these resources to take larger steps towards environmental, social, and economic development.
Tip 8: Buy by the case, where possible
It sounds paradoxical, but it has been proven: packaging waste is reduced if larger quantities of a product are ordered. Pipette tips and other consumables are often offered by the case which provides double the benefit. The first is that they do not need repacking, and so require less material than individual deliveries. The second advantage is the reduction of emissions for transportation, because larger amounts of product via fewer deliveries reduces your logistical footprint.
Tip 9: Last out, lights off!
Think before rushing out of the door at the end of the day; electrical devices continue to consume electricity overnight, even when idle. A simple way to improve the carbon footprint in the lab or office, is to switch off all appliances at the end of the day, especially for the weekend. If refrigerators or freezers are not going to be used for some time, they can also be defrosted and switched off completely until needed.
