Moving towards a greener lab means taking action in three categories: decreasing energy use, selecting products with reduced waste production and improving lab processes to support sustainability. Read on to gain more knowledge of 10 Lab Equipment Parts strategies you can implement to increase sustainability today in your lab.
1 Save Power and Carry On
One simple way to conserve power and cut emissions is turning off equipment when not in use. According to Harvard University, closing the fume hood generated significant energy savings of $240,000 while also cutting carbon emissions by 300 metric tons.
If needed, add timers or automatic switches that turn off at the end of each workday; or group Medical Lab Equipment securely on a power bar so there is only one off switch for when work is complete; this works particularly well when lab computers don't need to run overnight. If necessary, place reminders near equipment or switches reminding people how important saving power and switching off lights is!
- Energy Efficient Options: The New Normal
Select energy-saving products whenever possible and opt for more energy efficient options when replacing items that may accomplish similar goals more sustainably.
- Sustainable Buildings for R&D
Heating and cooling can be significant energy drains on a building's utilities system. To increase energy efficiency when updating building utilities, consider switching out heat pumps with zero emission technology; furthermore blinds, shades, and adequate wall insulation will keep conditions consistent year-round.
- Reuse for Longer Lives
Switching from plasticware to glass reduces waste associated with single-use consumables, though if this isn't feasible it is still possible to autoclave many common Laboratory Supplies with pipette tips in reusable boxes or use only single-use plastics with recycling programs in place.
Opting for suppliers with proactive approaches can also contribute to making your lab greener. Corning's innovative chemical recycling programs deal with plastic waste in an innovative manner by reconstituting it into material meeting laboratory quality standards.
- Select Sustainable Suppliers
Look for suppliers that prioritize ethical manufacturing practices, recycling programs and improved energy management at their facilities. Corning was recently honored for having 798 products included in Fisher Scientific's Greener Choice Program; this designation honors products which offer environmental advantages over items of similar use category while offering assurances that environmental benefit claims remain credible over time.
Discover if your suppliers are working toward energy efficiency goals such as those set forth by the Energy Star Challenge for industry. Some are already adapting their product designs to reduce plastic usage during production - for instance, Corning modified its standard cell culture flask to replace sharp corners with rounded profiles which reduced plastic use by 23 percent!
- Be a Mean Green Recycling Machine
Consider both supplier and in-house recycling. Place a recycling cart near the printer, encourage double-sided printing to save paper, return used packaging to suppliers who offer responsible disposal programs like Corning Take-Back's program in the US with its mailing label for easy return, as well as their advanced recycling ecosystem that transforms hard-to-recycle plastics into lab grade resins for new lab products.
- Make Equipment Last
Optimizing equipment performance through regular maintenance ensures optimal functioning and minimizes energy use. For instance, checking freezers regularly for excess ice accumulation or leaky seals is one way to do this; also be sure to add building infrastructure such as fixing dripping faucets promptly or cleaning vents frequently into your maintenance schedule.
- Intensification
Selecting Lab Equipment Suppliers and processes with smaller footprints that produce higher output can not only save space in the lab but can also result in less plastic waste.