Reimagining Your Lab: How Small Changes Can Drive Big Sustainability Wins

Laboratories are at the forefront of scientific innovation, but they also consume up to 10 times more resources than other building types. That’s why it’s essential to rethink how labs operate and adopt sustainability practices that reduce energy use, waste, and operational costs.

In our recent webinar, Reimagining Your Lab: A Conversation on Sustainable Lab Practices, we sat down with Stephen Miller, Executive Director and Founder of Lab Renew, to explore simple, budget-friendly strategies that labs can implement today to make a significant environmental impact.

Small Steps, Big Impact

One of the key takeaways from the conversation was the idea that sustainability doesn't have to be expensive or disruptive. It starts with small, behavioral changes that add up over time. For example:

✅ Repositioning fume hood sashes with a simple $1 sticker can significantly cut down electricity use.
✅ Adjusting ultra-low temp freezers from -80°C to -70°C saves 25% in energy costs without affecting sample preservation.
✅ Implementing glove and plastic recycling programs can divert waste from landfills at no additional cost.

The bottom line? Reevaluating daily lab operations can lead to significant efficiency gains without affecting research quality.

📺 Want to dive deeper? Watch the full webinar here: Link

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