Small Changes, Big Impact: Helping Labs Become More Sustainable

Laboratories are the energy hogs of the building world. They guzzle electricity and water, churning out waste at a staggering rate. To put it in perspective, labs consume up to 10 times more energy and resources per square foot than typical office spaces. They also generate 10 times more waste.

But here's the good news: even small changes can yield big sustainability gains in labs. And many of these changes are low-cost or no-cost to implement.

Start by targeting waste reduction.

Take a close look at your lab's waste streams. You'll likely find plenty of low-hanging fruit, such as disposable gloves and pipette tips. These items are often used in high volumes and tossed in the trash without a second thought.

But what if you could divert them from landfills and give them a second life?

Launching a recycling initiative for gloves and pipette tips is a great place to start. Not only will you reduce waste, but you'll also save money on disposal costs.

Next, set your sights on energy usage.

Labs are notorious energy gluttons, with equipment running 24/7 and ultra-low temperature freezers sucking up power. But small tweaks can make a big difference.

For example, simply adjusting ultra-low freezer settings from -80°C to -70°C can slash energy consumption by up to 40% without compromising sample integrity. It's a no-brainer way to shrink your lab's carbon footprint.

Another energy-saving tactic is to hunt down "energy vampires"

Equipment that runs continuously even when not in use. Water baths, fume hoods, and biosafety cabinets are common culprits. Implementing a "shut it off" policy for water baths at night and enabling standby mode on hoods and cabinets when not in use can dramatically reduce wasted energy. Make it a lab-wide effort by encouraging all lab members to be vigilant about switching off idle equipment.

To uncover more opportunities, train your lab personnel to scrutinize lab processes with a sustainability lens. They're the ones with firsthand knowledge of where resources are being wasted. Encourage them to speak up and propose ideas for greening lab practices.

You might be surprised at the creative solutions they come up with.

As you build momentum with small sustainability wins, consider graduating to bigger investments like energy-efficient equipment upgrades.

• Work with your facilities team to identify ageing, inefficient equipment that's ripe for replacement.
• Build a business case for upgrades by calculating the projected energy and cost savings over the lifetime of the new equipment.
• And don't forget to research utility rebates and incentives for energy-efficient lab equipment purchases. Many utilities offer generous rebates that can significantly offset upfront costs.

The key to successful lab sustainability initiatives is to start small and celebrate every win along the way.

• Publicize the impacts of your efforts, no matter how minor they may seem.
• Share data on waste diverted, energy saved, and costs reduced.

This will help secure buy-in and enthusiasm for tackling bigger sustainability projects down the road.

Not only will your sustainability efforts benefit the planet, but they'll also pay dividends for your bottom line and your lab's reputation. Increasingly, funding agencies and institutional leadership are prioritizing and even mandating sustainability in labs. By taking proactive steps to green your lab now, you'll be ahead of the curve and well-positioned for success in the future.

Ultimately, the path to lab sustainability is paved with small, incremental changes that add up to a big impact over time.

The planet will thank you, your budget will thank you, and your lab will be at the forefront of the sustainable labs movement.

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