With their intensive use of energy and resources, scientific laboratories have a significant carbon footprint and contribute to the climate crisis. Therefore, the scientific community must lead by example in adopting eco-friendly lab practices.
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Introduction
With a multitude of equipment (hoods, freezers, incubators, etc.) and the requirements for ventilation, lighting, heating, and cooling, laboratories consume at least 5-10 times the amount of energy used by office spaces of similar size and use about five times more water.
Plastic products used in laboratories include gloves, pipette tips, tubes, and packaging. It is estimated that every year, research laboratories produce 5.5 million tonnes of single-use plastic waste.
Adopting greener practices in laboratories is, therefore, a crucial step towards promoting sustainability in science and reducing the ecological footprint.1
Foundations and Techniques
The core principles of eco-friendly lab practices aim at minimizing both resource consumption and waste generation, as well as using sustainable materials. Waste reduction can be achieved by planning experiments to use minimal amounts of chemicals and by recycling or reusing materials whenever possible.
Energy consumption can be improved by using equipment that consumes less power and by implementing energy-saving practices (like turning off equipment when not in use).
The use of sustainable materials involves choosing supplies and equipment with a lower environmental impact (i.e., biodegradable consumables and recyclable plastics) or made from renewable resources.
Implementing Green Practices in Laboratories
An effective way to promote sustainability in laboratories is by abandoning traditional paper-based record-keeping systems for digital documentation, including electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), electronic inventories, and online databases.
Benefits of digital documentation systems include streamlined processes, more efficient data management, and reduced paper usage. The implementation of a chemical computerized reagent storage system allows the carrying out an inventory, classification, and rearranging of all the chemical products in the lab warehouse, enabling a better use of the resources available.[2]
Shifting -80°C freezers to -70°C can reduce energy by circa 6 kWh/day. Other practices that lower energy consumption include switching off of lights and equipment when not in use, no longer heating unoccupied stairwells and corridors, and removing hot water from handwashing sinks.3
Water usage is mostly associated with cooling or washing. Autoclaves consume huge amounts of water, but retrofitting them with systems that use recirculating chilled water can save up to 32,000 liters of water per week.4
Implementing effective waste management protocols is critical for minimizing environmental impact. Such practices include separating hazardous and non-hazardous waste, labeling containers appropriately, and arranging for the safe disposal of chemical waste through licensed vendors or recycling facilities.
Some organizations run a glove-recycling program in collaboration with suppliers that turn common consumables into new products. Using eco-certified products is another way labs can become more sustainable.
Challenges and Solutions in Green Laboratory Management
Despite the unquestionable benefits of eco-friendly lab practices, laboratories encounter various challenges when transitioning to greener solutions. Major obstacles are due to time constraints, especially when developing new practices is done alongside primary tasks. Costs are also a common challenge since recurring to sustainable technologies and materials often requires an up-front investment.
Other challenges are related to logistics for procurement or waste disposal, for example, issues about the need for additional space for bins and modified collection protocols. Moreover, laboratories in certain regions struggle more than those in other areas due to the limited availability of sustainable alternatives.
Resistance to change among lab personnel and lack of awareness about environmental issues also impede the implementation of sustainable solutions. These challenges can be addressed via strong leadership, education, and institutional support.
To drive change, it is important to foster a culture of environmental stewardship within laboratories. Whoever wants to drive sustainability also needs to understand the way their organization functions and how decisions are made, to facilitate change.
An effective step is to build a team that can share ideas and expertise within the organization and help plan and implement a wider set of actions. Securing the involvement and support of senior staff is hugely beneficial as it emphasizes the importance of the matter.4
Advancements in Sustainable Lab Technologies
The transition toward eco-friendly lab practices requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses not only technological solutions but also changes at the organization level in both culture and operations. Laboratories need to reassess their workflows and adopt strategies aimed at reducing their environmental impact.
Advances in green chemistry are enabling the production of compounds with a reduced environmental impact on synthetic processes.
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence help address environmental challenges associated with scientific research by optimizing energy management in labs, conducting data analysis to identify inefficiencies, and recommending energy-saving measures.
Future Directions in Eco-Friendly Scientific Research
Many research organizations and laboratories worldwide are now working toward sustainability in their operations, with the adoption of new technologies and increased awareness of the environmental impacts.
Besides research, broader work‐related activities should also be considered. This includes, for instance, reducing the number of emails sent (the CO2 emissions of an email with attachment range between 0.3-26g), or choosing more sustainable options for conference travel.
Many organizations are implementing policies that enforce traveling by train rather than airplane when within a certain distance.1
When building a new laboratory, the impact of the whole life cycle must be considered, from design and construction through its operation and up until it is to be demolished.
Joining a formal scheme (i.e., Green Impact, LEAF, and My Green Lab) to help organize a framework to initiate greener initiatives is also another helpful step to consider.
Conclusion
The adoption of eco-friendly lab practices is imperative for mitigating the environmental impact of scientific research and promoting sustainability.
Reducing waste, lower energy consumption, and using sustainable materials, are some examples of how the scientific community can take practical actions.
Continued innovation in sustainable technologies and a commitment to integrating green chemistry principles are crucial roles in reducing the carbon footprint and driving transformative change.
Learn more about lab automation
References
- Freese, T., Elzinga, N., Heinemann, M., Lerch, M. M. & Feringa, B. L. (2024). The relevance of sustainable laboratory practices. RSC Sustainability.10.1039/D4SU00056K. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00056K
- Gutierrez, J., Santaolalla, A., Tercjak, A., Rojo, N., Encinas, D., Gomez-De-Balugera, Z. & Gallastegui, G. (2020). Creating a Green Chemistry Lab: Towards Sustainable Resource Management and Responsible Purchasing. Sustainability, 12, 8934. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/21/8934
- Leak, L. B., Tamborski, J., Commissaris, A. & Brophy, J. a. N. (2023). Forging a path toward a more sustainable laboratory. Trends Biochem Sci, 48, 5-8.10.1016/j.tibs.2022.09.001. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36563657
- Durgan, J., Rodríguez-Martínez, M. & Rouse, B. (2023). Green Labs: a guide to developing sustainable science in your organization. Immunol Cell Biol, 101, 289-301.10.1111/imcb.12624.
Further reading