Lab Sustainability: Embracing Environmentally Friendly Science

Lab Sustainability: Embracing Environmentally Friendly Science Redefining Lab Practices To Prioritize Sustainability How To Make Your Lab More Sustainable Recent Developments in Sustainability Research Credit: iStock SPONSORED BY Lab Sustainability: A Holistic Approach 5 Redefining Lab Practices To Prioritize Sustainability 8 How To Make Your Lab More Sustainable 12 Recent Developments in Sustainability Research 16 Integrating Sustainability Into the Lab With Martin Farley 18 Lab Sustainability Infographic 20 Biotech and Pharma’s Carbon Impact: Insights From My Green Lab 21 Inspiring Scientists To Implement Sustainability in the Lab 24 Contents 2 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM 3 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Foreword Lab Sustainability As the scientific community increasingly acknowledges its environmental footprint, laboratories are rethinking their traditional roles and responsibilities, moving towards more sustainable operations that not only reduce resource consumption but also inspire wider changes within the research sector. By bridging the gap between high-level sustainability goals and practical lab-level actions, researchers can make measurable contributions to environmental sustainability. Through a selection of expert articles, helpful guides, insightful interviews and striking graphics, this eBook offers readers a comprehensive look at lab sustainability. It provides actionable insights into how lab managers and bench scientists can optimize their practices to contribute to a more sustainable future ‒ from reducing energy and water consumption, embracing digital transformations and implementing recycling programs. 4 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Visit: www.peakscientific.com/green to discover more. When you make the choice to invest in a Peak gas generator for your LC-MS or GC analysis instead of gas cylinders or bulk liquid tanks, you reduce the environmental impact of your lab by eliminating recurring deliveries and harmful gas extraction methods. • No repeated deliveries • No wasted gas • Renewable resources • Economical 5 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability: A Holistic Approach Srividya Kailasam, PhD Laboratories are complex spaces that cater to different disciplines and are designed to carry out activities ranging from wet chemical reactions and microbiological studies to analysis using sophisticated instruments. They may be operated as independent commercial establishments (e.g., testing labs), or they could be part of educational or research institutions, companies and hospitals. Given this diversity, the need for heating and cooling, and the presence of energy-intensive instruments, it is hardly surprising that labs consume inordinate amounts of resources and generate large volumes of waste. These could be both solid and liquid and possibly infectious. In the past few years, there has been an increasing awareness of the environmental footprint of labs and a growing trend toward “sustainable laboratories”.1 The scientific community has started to focus on areas that make labs sustainable. In a study published in 2022, My Green Lab and Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE), identified that many pharma and biotech companies have adopted zero carbon goals. In this listicle, we explore how a holistic approach that includes optimal lab design, environmentally friendly equipment and instrumentation, and awareness about the impact of labs, coupled with training and adoption of sustainable practices, is required to make labs “green”. Lab design A laboratory’s design can have a vast impact on its sustainability. Careful consideration when building, setting up or renovating a laboratory can help to reduce wastage and lead to improved energy efficiency. A lab should be designed to increase the amount of natural lighting and energy-efficient artificial lighting should be used as a supplement to the daylight. Increasing natural lighting is known to not only improve productivity, but also save costs. A white or nearly white ceiling is recommended for the proper distribution of natural lighting. Dark bench tops and reagent shelves that make the room seem darker must be avoided. While a well-lit, air-conditioned lab is essential for the proper running of sophisticated instruments, it is important to turn off the lights and air conditioning when the instruments are not in use. To ensure compliance, team members can take turns switching off the lights and equipment not in use. Regular light bulbs can be replaced with LED bulbs. Temperature control can also be achieved using chilled beams. When designing a sustainable lab, factors such as its size, layout and infrastructure flexibility must be borne in mind to minimize energy consumption and adapt to future technological changes. The use of modular and reconfigurable furniture also helps in creating a sustainable lab. Biosafety labs must ensure unidirectional flow of materials and personnel and incorporate controls such as negative pressure zones and airtight doors and windows to prevent highly infectious pathogens from escaping into surrounding areas. Since all materials entering a biosafety level 3 lab (BSL3) are considered Lab Sustainability Credit: iStock 6 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability biohazardous, minimizing the materials (paper, media bottles, plastics, etc.) brought into biosafety labs will reduce the necessity to autoclave and/or dispose of these materials that could otherwise be reused. Several resources are available to help with planning the creation of a sustainable lab. For example, a strategic design framework, Green Lab, has been developed to help create labs with minimal environmental impact using recycled materials. These labs should be capable of generating energy from renewable sources.2 Involving a wide range of stakeholders, applying the highest possible sustainability standards and balancing lab sustainability goals with the health and safety of personnel are suggested as the three keys to designing a sustainable lab.3 Equipment Labs depend on a huge variety of equipment, and careful consideration during its purchase, use and disposal is crucial in ensuring sustainability goals are met. When upgrading or replacing existing instruments, certified environmentally friendly options, such as those with ENERGY STAR® and ACT (Accountability, Consistency and Transparency) labels, should be purchased. The Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) criteria form the basis of creating the labels for life science products. These labels provide scores for parameters such as renewable energy used during manufacture, water consumed during use and sustainability impact at the end-of-life stage. Lower overall score indicates lesser overall environmental impact. In addition, My Green Lab certification helps the labs get their sustainability practices audited. Choosing models that consume fewer resources, including energy and solvents, helps to reduce the environmental impact. For instance, smaller autoclaves with more efficient vacuum generation systems consume less water and can be used instead of a larger model. Periodic maintenance of all lab equipment and instruments must be carried out to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency. Keeping incubators, freezers, refrigerators and cold rooms clean and frost-free will make them more energy efficient and will increase the lifespan of these products. When possible, refurbished instruments can be used to minimize the build-up of hazardous substances and other products that cannot be recycled in the environment. Manufacturers are increasingly investing in building a circular economy for their instruments, offering incentives for labs to return their old equipment, which can be refurbished and sold on. Operation Laboratories can contain a wide range of energy-intensive equipment that often requires continuous operation. Subsequently, compared to office buildings, they typically consume 5 to 10 times more energy per square foot. Coupled with this, many processes depend on singleuse plastics and use vast amounts of water. Although it is challenging for laboratories to try to match the resource consumption and waste output of a space with such different needs, several steps can be taken to improve their operational efficiency. Instruments such as chromatographs, mass spectrometers and spectroscopes can be shut down when not in use. Similarly, other equipment such as pH meters, balances, centrifuges and water baths can also be turned off when not in use. Equipment that doesn’t require continuous use can be fitted with programmable outlet timers, which could help to reduce equipment energy consumption by up to 50%. When in use, the sash of fume hoods should be kept in the lowest possible position to improve exhaust efficiency and thus save energy. Energy can also be saved by lowering the airflow volume when the fume hoods are not in use. When possible, ductless hoods that filter contaminated air before recirculating it can be used. Operating ultralow temperature freezers at -70 °C instead of -80 °C saves energy without being detrimental to the samples. Labs should reduce, recycle and reuse plastic products whenever possible. Consolidating orders for plastic ware, glassware and chemicals for the different projects/ experiments running in the lab or for multiple labs, buying smaller pack sizes or buying just pipette tips instead of boxed tips can reduce the plastic waste in the lab. Routine lab activities such as filtration, which is an integral part of sample preparation, generates plastic waste such as single-use syringes and filter cartridges. These and other plastic wastes, such as pipette tips, tip boxes, syringes, tubes and nitrile gloves, can be recycled instead of sending them to landfills or incineration. When recycling, care should be taken to disinfect biowastes and segregate these along with other hazardous wastes from recyclable, nonhazardous plastic wastes. A lab case report documented various approaches, such as reusing decontaminated plastic tubes and using sustainable materials like reusable wooden sticks for patch plating and metal loops for inoculation that helped reduce and reuse single-use plastics in a microbiology lab. After implementing these strategies, the lab demonstrated a 43 kg reduction in plastic waste in 4 7 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability weeks, in addition to reducing costs.4 A report from MIT demonstrates the feasibility of recycling clean lab plastics, stating that the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) office collected nearly 280 pounds of plastic waste from participating labs every week in 2022 for recycling. To minimize water consumption, taps and other water outlets can be fitted with spray nozzles or low-flow aerators, and recirculating water baths used for cooling reactions that can be carried out on a smaller scale. To reduce water wastage, leakage from faucets, autoclaves, water baths and any seepage from water pipes should be attended to as soon as possible. Washing and autoclaving should be done with minimal wastage of water. Scientists, students and lab personnel should cooperate to ensure that autoclaves are run at full capacity to reduce water as well as energy consumption. Less hazardous substitutes for chemicals and cleaning supplies should be used whenever possible. Labs and workspaces must be kept clean to prevent crosscontamination that leads to wastage. Simple actions like proper labeling and storage of chemicals will enhance their shelf-life and proper usage. Experiments should be designed to derive maximum information with minimum consumption of resources as well as minimum waste generation. This will also reduce the number of experiments and eliminate erroneous experiments. Replacing paper-based lab notebooks, operating procedures and test protocols with electronic records will help minimize paper consumption. Computers and other office equipment can be turned off when not in use. Training Educating stakeholders on the importance of sustainability is a crucial requirement for achieving a green laboratory. In addition to training the scientists on guidelines and regulations, they must be sensitized towards the ecological impact of indiscriminate usage of chemicals, glassware, plastic ware and consumption of resources, especially electricity and consequent generation of waste in the laboratories. The importance of education and capacity building in “green chemistry” and “sustainable chemistry” for creating greener and more sustainable processes has been described by Zuin et al.5 Sustainability in Quality Improvement (SusQI), developed by The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH) adopts principles of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) such as “future thinking” and “systems thinking” and “thinking creatively” in the training programs for clinical laboratory professionals.6 Several resources are available online for learning and disseminating information regarding lab sustainability. LEAF or Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework, an independent standard for good environmental practice in labs designed by University College London, provides training, a toolkit, resources and strategies for improving the sustainability and efficiency of labs. Behavior As behavioral changes take time, training on lab sustainability must be augmented with monitoring, reminders and encouragement to implement practices that will lead to smaller carbon footprints. Educational institutions have started initiatives such as “Unplug” and “Shut the Sash” competitions to encourage lab users to adopt energy-saving practices. In the “Sustainable Laboratories” report published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, recognizing and rewarding initiatives and actions that promote sustainability in the labs has been listed as the first plan of action along with providing resources, funds and advocating for change. Leaders can make a difference by setting the right goals and performance indicators on sustainability, encouraging collaboration and, most importantly, walking the talk. The “Green Labs Guide” published by the University of Pennsylvania and sustainable research practices on Princeton University’s EHS website provide a number of strategies and checklists that can help lab managers to make their labs sustainable. Conclusion Sustainability in a lab should become a way of life. It will not only reduce the environmental impact, but also save money in the longer term, offsetting the initial investments for achieving sustainability. A “green lab” should be the collective responsibility of all the team members. A well designed and well maintained lab also contributes to higher efficiency and productivity. Awareness and taking simple steps can go a long way in improving lab sustainability. References 1. Durgan J, et al. Immunol Cell Biol. 2023;101(4):289-301. 2. Belibani R, et al. Progress in Sustainable Energy Technologies Vol II. 2014:273-283. 3. Hersh E. Harvard School of Public Health. Three keys to sustainable lab design to improve health and safety. 2019. 4. Alves J, et al. Access Microbiol. 2021;3(3):000173. 5. Zuin V, et al. Green Chem. 2021;23:1594-1608. 6. Scott S. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2023;61(4):638-641. 8 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability Redefining Lab Practices To Prioritize Sustainability Laura Lansdowne Scientists around the world are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their research; however, the path to adopting sustainable practices can be complex. While some scientists may be uncertain about how to initiate or prioritize changes to counteract this footprint, others may not fully appreciate the broader advantages of implementing such changes. Challenges such as a lack of understanding, insufficient accountability among staff, and a need for more encouragement and support can hinder progress. Addressing these barriers is key to fostering a culture where sustainable practices are the norm – not the exception. In this article, we explore ways scientists can adapt their day-to-day practices to reduce the environmental footprint of their labs. We also highlight expert advice, initiatives and case studies that support these changes and showcase their effectiveness. Practical steps towards a sustainable lab Laboratories typically use 5 to 10 times more energy per square meter compared to office spaces – with fume hoods and ultra-low-temperature freezers being two main energy-intensive culprits commonly found in labs. While scientists may not be aware of the energy and water usage that their research warrants, they are likely to notice their consumption of materials, such as single-use plastics in biological labs. It is estimated that laboratories worldwide generate approximately 5.5 million metric tons of plastic waste each year – the equivalent of filling 67 cruise liners. The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) Green Labs Program, founded by Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar in 2009, has found ways to effectively engage scientists and lab personnel in sustainable practices. “While I was working in labs, I began to wonder if my research was truly helping more than it was hurting because of the large resource consumption. For the most part… solutions had not yet been developed to help researchers take action to reduce the environmental footprint of their research. I left the lab bench and gained the support of CU Boulder to start the program to try to address this issue,” said Ramirez-Aguilar. The CU Boulder Green Labs Program aims to reduce the consumption of multiple resources, including energy, water, materials and hazardous chemicals in the university’s laboratories. It also advocates for the efficient and effective use of research equipment and lab space. “Over the years, scientists have repeatedly expressed interest in diverting their waste streams from the landfill,” noted Ramirez-Aguilar. Given that this area has garnered a lot of interest from researchers, it has fueled the demand for eco-friendly plastic labware which some companies are stepping up to try to address. Credit: iStock 9 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability Since the beginning, the CU Boulder Green Labs Program has also focused on enabling discussions with scientists on other key topics related to efficiency, including energy and water savings, and in more recent years, efforts have included the benefits of sharing equipment and the importance of optimized use of laboratory space. Sharing instruments saves resources “When scientists choose to share research equipment between labs then there are fewer instruments to purchase and maintain with research funding, thus saving researchers’ money. At the same time, less electricity is consumed and it’s a more efficient use of lab space ‒ which is expensive space to build and particularly energy-intensive because of ventilation needs,” said Ramirez-Aguilar. She continues: “If facilities with directors are set up to manage the shared research equipment and users, then there is also significant time savings (which also equates to financial savings) and other benefits to be realized by researchers because now there is a knowledgeable director to help researchers with training and troubleshooting problems.” In 2018, CU Boulder launched the BioCore Facility to streamline laboratory equipment sharing for three science departments on the campus. The program manages 90 shared pieces of equipment and over 60 researchers are utilizing the services across 18 laboratories. Since the program began, it has led to savings of approximately USD 3 million, attributed to the sharing and redistribution of resources. Many other universities and research institutes have implemented similar initiatives. For example, the University of Cambridge’s Equipment Sharing Project allows members of staff and students to share > 4,000 items across various universities, including the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London and the University of Southampton. Identifying quick wins to cut emissions Lisa O’Fee, sustainability advisor at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), reiterates the importance of initiatives similar to those implemented at UC Boulder. She is working to embed sustainability in everything the ICR does, in its mission to “defeat cancer”. Launched in December 2022, the ICR sustainability action plan “Sustainable Discoveries” sets out how the ICR will respond to the environmental crises we face such as • Improves energy efficiency by using less equipment • Attracts new talent and allows researchers to access equipment faster • Avoids duplicate purchases of equipment • Researchers gain access to core facility experts • Efficient use of laboratory space through sharing resources • Enhances scientific rigor and reproducibility • Improves safety institutewide by ensuring consistent and expert training of staff • Resiliency in emergencies • Compliance with regulations • Facilitates the conscientious utilization of taxpayer and sponsor funds • Advances equity through inclusive access • Enhances research efforts • Enables universities and/or institutes to house the latest technologies Cost Avoidance Compliance, Ethics & Risk General Benefits • Expands research capabilities and grant opportunities • Encourages industry collaboration and external equipment users Revenue SHARED RESEARCH EQUIPMENT BENEFITS Figure 1: Key reasons why managed, shared research equipment benefits institutions. Adapted from a figure created by CU Boulder. Credit:: Technology Networks 10 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability climate change and biodiversity loss. ICR is committed to achieving net zero by 2040, with an interim reduction of 42% in carbon emissions by 2030. She describes some “quick wins” to reduce energy and carbon emissions: “Waste audits can identify if the correct waste segregation process is being adhered to and raise awareness. It’s important to look for opportunities for improvement, for example, new recycling routes and improved signage/training of staff. Sustainable procurement training equips scientists with the knowledge to select sustainable products – those that can be reused, recycled, or are manufactured from recycled content.” Energy monitoring to identify pieces of equipment that consume the highest amount of power is good to raise awareness and reinforce switching off if applicable. “Traffic light-coded switch-off stickers are also a good way to prompt scientists,” noted O’Fee. She highlights one of the two energy-intensive culprits mentioned above – the ultra-low temperature freezer: “Good practice in cold temperature storage is key to reducing energy consumption within the lab.” Programs like the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge promote optimal use and upkeep of cold storage equipment. This contest, organized by two nonprofit entities – the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL), where Ramirez-Aguilar serves on the board, and My Green Lab – is free to enter and is designed to encourage laboratories to adopt best practices. Labs are scored on areas including preventative maintenance, materials management, temperature tuning, retirements and upgrades, and cutting-edge practices. The 2023 Freezer Challenge, in which almost 2,000 labs participated worldwide, resulted in an energy saving of 20.7 million kWh, equivalent to approximately 14,663 metric tons of CO2 , which is over twice the CO2 savings achieved in the previous year’s challenge. Based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, this amount is equivalent to offsetting greenhouse gas emissions from driving 36.9 million miles in an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle or the annual CO2 emissions from 2,854 homes’ electricity use. Calculating carbon emissions Laboratories consume a significant amount of energy, so decreasing energy consumption can lead to proportional reductions in CO2 emissions. But, considering the diverse range of emissions associated with equipment, consumables and supply chain activities (Figure 2), it can be difficult to know how best to calculate, assess and alter a lab’s carbon footprint. “It is much easier to calculate carbon emissions from Scope 1 and 2. Scope 3 emissions that are associated with purchased goods and services are more difficult to calculate and for the most part are calculated on a spend basis. A hybrid methodology is a much more accurate way to calculate emissions for the majority of Scope 3,” explained O’Fee. Direct Emissions These emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions from laboratory operations. Indirect Carbon Emissions Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions associated with purchased energy (e.g., electricity) consumed by the research facility (i.e., university or institute). Other Indirect Emissions Emissions that are a consequence of the (upstream or downstream) activities of the research facility and occur from sources not owned or controlled by it. (e.g., emissions associated with travel, procurement, waste, final products and services). Scope 1 Scope 2 CARBON EMISSIONS Scope 3 Figure 2: Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Credit:: Technology Networks 11 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability Resources, such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s Technical Guidance for Calculating Scope 3 Emissions, are designed to help facilities evaluate their Scope 3 emissions. Adopting a life cycle thinking approach to lab equipment While sharing and maintaining equipment is important, when it’s time to replace instruments, it’s vital to consider how energy-efficient they are. O’Fee believes researchers shouldn’t be afraid to engage with equipment suppliers and challenge them about the sustainability practices associated with their products. She offers the following advice: “You could put together a sustainable supplier list and an accompanying questionnaire for the suppliers, requesting information on their carbon emission data, responsible procurement policy, and if they have any procurement framework or standard that they work to, for instance, EcoVadis or ISO 20400. Increasingly suppliers of lab consumables like plastics are giving information as to the type of plastic and amount within a product.” Using the associated emission factors, it is therefore possible to calculate the amount of carbon emitted. There are clear connections between resource use efficiency in scientific research and cost savings or cost avoidance. Financial benefits can be achieved for both researchers and institutions. “If lab members are buying more energy-efficient equipment or conducting their research in a way that reduces the use of energy or water, then there will be less energy and water consumption for the institutions to pay for,” noted Ramirez-Aguilar. The CU Boulder Green Labs Program works with scientists on financial incentives. Funding can be applied towards the cost of research equipment purchases if efficient equipment options exist and if lab members are selecting efficient equipment. Ramirez-Aguilar elaborates: “We have been able to obtain funding to contribute toward the purchase of top energyefficient ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers and energyefficient biosafety cabinets, the addition of eco-modes to glove boxes and the purchase of waterless condensers to use in chemical synthesis.” Useful Resources • Million Advocates for Sustainable Science • Freezer Challenge • International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories Best Practices • International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories Working Groups • International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories Sustainable Lab Awards • My Green Lab • Greenhouse Gas Protocol Technical Guidance for Calculating Scope 3 Emissions About the interviewees: Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar completed her PhD in analytical chemistry in 1999. She gained 15 years of research experience before shifting her focus away from the bench, dedicating her efforts toward enhancing the environmental sustainability of scientific research and addressing its influence on climate change more broadly. As well as managing the CU Green Labs Program at the University of Colorado Boulder, she serves on the board of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL), acts as chair of the I2SL University Alliance Group (UAG), and heads the Bringing Efficiency to Research Grants initiative under the I2SL UAG, aiming to integrate efficiency and sustainability into US research funding. Lisa O’Fee, a biochemist specializing in drug discovery with a focus on oncology, has been part of the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) since 2013. In 2023, Lisa transitioned from the ICR’s Division of Cancer Therapeutics to assume the role of sustainability advisor at the institute. In her new capacity, she has been pivotal in developing and implementing the institute’s sustainability strategy. She coordinates several sustainability initiatives at the ICR, including the freezer challenge and My Green Lab certification for the laboratories. 12 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Credit: iStock How To Make Your Lab More Sustainable Charlotte Houghton, PhD Laboratories are essential to support life-enhancing research across a broad range of disciplines, including pharmaceuticals, life science research and, increasingly, computational research. However, to limit global warming to 1.5 °C, a key target agreed in the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, all industries need to reduce their carbon emissions and lower their wider environmental impact. Laboratories have intense energy and water operations and can have high “scope 3” emissions due to the equipment, consumables and associated supply chain. There is a growing global community of sustainable laboratory professionals that offers support and guidance in relation to the seemingly large challenge of reducing laboratories’ carbon footprints. This network, along with local programs and related resources, gives laboratories a starting point along with quick actions that can be implemented to increase the sustainability of their operations without impacting research output and quality. In this guide, we highlight some of the priority areas for laboratories and the associated actions that can be taken. Calculate your laboratory’s carbon footprint As with any scientific endeavor, establishing a baseline is an essential starting point. This gives you quantifiable data on the emissions generated by your laboratory to help identify and target actions for prioritization. Ideally, you would calculate your carbon footprint before implementing any changes and then recalculate your emissions to show the decrease you have achieved. There are a few options to help you calculate it, with the caveat that these are estimates. There are free online resources that can be used; Labos 1point5 allows you to estimate the carbon footprint of a research laboratory. The caveat here is that this is intended for French public research and the carbon emissions factors will be different to other countries. There is also the Laboratory Benchmarking Tool created by the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) that allows you to see your carbon emissions in relation to other laboratories of the same size. For computational research, the Green Algorithms calculator gives an estimate for each computation your lab carries out and some tips on how to reduce these emissions. Optimize your purchasing towards sustainability Ensure your purchasing processes have sustainability embedded at every step to improve the sustainability of your laboratory across multiple areas, including energy and waste. One of the most important actions is to confirm you have an up-to-date inventory of chemicals, equipment and consumables. Keeping track of everything means you will only order what you need and also allows you to bulk buy, reducing the number of deliveries. Create a list of orders and order at a specific time of the month or week to consolidate the number of orders. This will further reduce deliveries and their associated emissions. Lab Sustainability 13 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability For equipment, you should ask suppliers to provide you with life cycle assessments or, as a minimum, the energy/ water/gas/consumables information so you can make the most sustainable choice. Choosing the equipment with the lowest energy consumption and lowest consumable requirement will lower the emissions over the lifetime of the equipment and save your lab money! For consumables, select suppliers that: • Have reduced packaging options • Use packaging that can be reused or recycled • Offer take-back schemes for packaging or product recycling. This will not only result in more sustainable procurement but reduce the waste produced by your lab. Reduce energy consumption Once you have bought your laboratory equipment, you can take simple steps to ensure it uses the minimum energy possible during its day-to-day use and across its lifetime. Up to 25% of your laboratory’s energy consumption comes from benchtop equipment that is left plugged in and powered up, even when not required. Regular maintenance of equipment will improve its lifespan and efficiency; most suppliers should be able to provide a maintenance contract alongside the purchase. It might sound obvious, but make sure you switch off equipment when not in use. Place reminders on plug sockets and/or use timer switches for non-sensitive pieces of equipment. Fume hoods can use up to 3–4 households’ worth of energy per day, and although they are required to operate 24/7, shutting the sash when not in use can reduce energy consumption by 30–50%.2 Stickers can be added to units to remind users to shut the sash or automatic sash closers can be installed. Optimizing the temperatures of your cold storage equipment is also an important energy-saving action. Ensure fridges are running at the correct temperature, and not lower, to reduce the energy used. For ultra-low temperature freezers, consider raising the temperature from −80 °C to −70 °C, as this can result in a 20–30% energy saving depending on the age of the unit.3 Manage water consumption Water is a precious natural resource that needs to be conserved and used as efficiently as possible. Within a laboratory environment, large amounts of water can be used in day-to-day processes due to high-quality water requirements, single pass cooling for equipment and cleaning. But, with the tips below, this can be reduced. The use of steam baths and water baths is essential in certain labs but there are steps you can take to reduce the water required. Where possible, replace steam baths with heating blocks, to remove the water requirement entirely, as they generally use less energy. For water baths, ensure a lid is used during operation, or invest in beads that remove the need for water. Another high-use activity is cleaning glassware; your processes should be reviewed to ensure the minimum volume is used. Consider soaking glassware rather than rinsing under a running a tap as a first step during cleaning. Audit your waste Laboratories produce a huge amount of waste, ranging from general waste and recyclable waste to hazardous solid and liquid waste. Disposing of waste responsibly will drastically reduce your laboratory’s indirect emissions and possibly save money on disposal costs! The first thing to do is to audit your waste to assess how much of each category you are producing on a weekly basis. Once you know how much waste you produce, and what type it is, you can then look to increase how much you recycle through your already established recycling routes. Research whether your lab can swap single-use plastics for glass alternatives for non-critical processes (e.g., Petri dishes and pipettes) to reduce the waste produced. Some single-use plastics, such as bottles for buffers or falcon tubes, can be decontaminated and reused before they are disposed of. For solid and liquid chemical waste, implementing green chemistry principles such as reducing experiment size or choosing less hazardous alternatives will reduce the amount of hazardous waste produced and will reduce the emissions related to disposal. Increase engagement with sustainability One vital step towards increasing the sustainability of your laboratory, and ultimately reducing your carbon emissions, is to make sure every lab user is engaged with the sustainability actions you are implementing. This ensures that sustainability becomes embedded into the culture of the laboratory, just as health and safety is, and that it is not solely one person’s responsibility to implement these actions. Sign your laboratory up to a certification program such as LEAF4 or My Green Lab5 to give you more actions to implement. This can also be used as an engagement tool for other lab members and across your organization. Creating a community of like-minded individuals will help keep up 14 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability the motivation for sustainable actions and allow sharing of best practices. This can be achieved through regular sustainability coffee mornings or by circulating newsletters highlighting progress. Conclusion Finding ways to reduce your laboratory’s carbon emissions may initially seem daunting, but, as this guide has highlighted, there are lots of simple steps you can take to make an impact. Small actions add up to a large reduction over time. None of these changes will impact the research quality or output of your lab, meaning your research still takes priority but it can be achieved in a more sustainable way. References 1. United Nations Climate Change. The Paris Agreement. 2015. 2. O’Neil NJ, et al. J Chem Educ. 2020;98(1):84-91. 3. May M. Science. 2016;352(6285):614-616. 4. UCL. LEAF - Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework. 2022. 5. My Green Lab certification. 2023. Learn more at thermofisher.com/tsxuniversal For General Laboratory Use. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the performance of the product is suitable for the specific use or application. © 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific and its subsidiaries unless otherwise specified. COL122855 0624 0˚ -180˚ -140˚ -100˚ -60˚ -20˚ -200˚ -160˚ -120˚ -80˚ -40˚ 10˚ with your science in mind from the bottom up for sustainability Thermo Scientific TSX Universal Series ULT freezers Elevate your laboratory’s sustainability with the next generation of our most trusted ULT platform Ultra-low temperature freezers 16 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Credit: iStock Lab Sustainability Recent Developments in Sustainability Research Kate Robinson To help fight the climate crisis, it is vital to address the sustainability of our practices, tools and workspaces. Scientists across the globe are adopting innovative strategies and solutions to incorporate sustainability in their research journey. Here, we take a look at some recent developments in sustainability research, from innovations in renewable energy to the development of biodegradable materials. Researchers Develop Bioplastic From Eggshells as Sustainable Alternative to Plastic Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan have created a plastic-like material that could absorb excess nutrients from water and be used as a fertilizer when it decomposes. Phosphate is an essential nutrient commonly used in fertilizers. However, an excess of phosphate in water sources can lead to increased growth of blue green algae, which can release toxins harmful to humans and animals. Phosphate is a non-renewable resource obtained through mining. The limited supply of phosphate minerals can be depleted when it leaches into water sources. The newly developed “bioplastic” material is composed of a biocomposite pellet that contains a marine polysaccharide, eggshells and wheat straw. The pellet absorbs phosphate from water sources and can then be used as a fertilizer source for agricultural applications. The pellet is also an alternative to products that use plastic coatings to deliver fertilizer to agricultural land, eventually becoming microplastic pollution. “If you placed a plastic margarine container into your backyard and bury it, it might be there for 50 years or more until it starts to crumble apart. But it’s those small particles that are harmful to human health. With bioplastics, you can avoid all of that and you basically get something that breaks down into its original components or can be more readily composted or degraded through natural processes.” said Dr. Lee Wilson, associate professor, University of Saskatchewan. Reference: Steiger B, et al. RSC Sustainability. 2024;2:1498-1507. Engineering Bacteria To Produce Green Chemicals From Methanol Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered bacteria to efficiently use methanol in the production of “green” chemicals. The chemical industry relies heavily on fossil fuels to produce various chemicals such as plastics, dyes or artificial flavors. Methanol is one of the simplest organic molecules and can be synthesized from carbon dioxide and water. If the energy for this synthesis reaction comes from renewable sources, the methanol is termed “green”. A team from ETH Zurich has been focused on the idea of equipping Escherichia coli with the ability to metabolize methanol for several years. The researchers removed two genes and added three, allowing the E.coli to take up methanol, but only in small quantities. 17 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability After over a year and around 1,000 further generations, the bacteria became increasingly efficient in using methanol. To explore the potential of synthetic methylotrophs – bacteria that feed on methanol – to produce bulk chemicals, the team equipped the bacteria with additional genes for four different biosynthetic pathways. In their study, published in Nature Catalysis, they showed that the bacteria produced the desired compounds in all cases. “Given the challenges of climate change, it is clear that alternatives to fossil resources are needed. We are developing a technology that does not emit additional CO2 into the atmosphere.” said Dr. Michael Reiter, postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich. Reference: Reiter MA, et al. Nature Catalysis. 2024. Trash To Treasure: Researchers Turn Metal Waste Into Catalyst for Green Hydrogen According to research published in the Journal of Material Chemistry A of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a metal machining byproduct could be an efficient electrocatalyst that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is a clean fuel, with its combustion only producing water vapor. Electrolysis is one of the most promising green pathways for hydrogen production, but the process requires rare and expensive catalysts. With the limited global supply and increasing prices of precious metals, there is an urgent need for alternative electrocatalyst materials. Using a scanning electron microscope, the researchers were able to inspect the surfaces of stainless steel, titanium and nickel alloy swarf (fine chips or filings of material produced by machining). They discovered that the surfaces had grooves and ridges tens of nanometres wide. The team then used magnetron sputtering to create a platinum atom “rain” on the swarf’s surface, which allowed them to produce hydrogen using only 10 percent of the amount of platinum loading compared to commercial catalysts. “The electrocatalysts made from swarf have the potential to greatly impact the economy. Our unique technology developed at Nottingham, which involves atom-by-atom growth of platinum particles on nanotextured surfaces, has solved two major challenges. Firstly, it enables the production of green hydrogen using the least amount of precious metal possible, and secondly, it upcycles metal waste from the aerospace industry, all in a single process.” said Andrei Khlobystov, professor of nanomaterials, University of Nottingham. Reference: Thangamuthu M, et al. J Mater Chem A. 2024. Researchers Take Major Step Toward NextGeneration Solar Cells In a new paper published in Nature Energy, researchers have unveiled an innovative method to manufacture new solar cells, known as perovskite cells. The majority of solar panels are made from silicon, which can only convert around 20 percent of the sun’s energy into electricity. The production of silicon is also expensive and energy intensive. Perovskite is a synthetic semiconducting material with the potential to convert substantially more solar power than silicon at a lower production cost. Layering perovskite solar cells on top of silicon cells could increase the panels’ efficiency by over 50%. However, commercial silicon panels can typically maintain at least 80% of their performance after 25 years, but perovskite cells degrade faster in the air. In order to produce solar cells from perovskite, glass plates must be coated with the semiconductor in a small box filled with non-reactive gas to prevent the perovskites from reacting with oxygen, which decreases their performance. This becomes more difficult with larger glass plates. By adding dimethylammonium formate (DMAFo) to the perovskite solution before coating, the researchers were able to prevent the materials from oxidizing, meaning coating could take place in ambient air. The additive also increased the cells’ stability. “We’re still seeing rapid electrification, with more cars running off electricity. We’re hoping to retire more coal plants and eventually get rid of natural gas plants. If you believe that we’re going to have a fully renewable future, then you’re planning for the wind and solar markets to expand by at least five- ten fold from where it is today,” said Michael McGehee, professor of chemical engineering and materials science, University of Colorado Boulder. Reference: Meng H, et al. Nat Energy. 2024. 18 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Credit: iStock Integrating Sustainability Into the Lab With Martin Farley Lucy Lawrence Martin Farley, associate director of Environmental Sustainability Programs at UK Research and Innovation and director of Green Lab Associates, is an expert in lab sustainability. He started a career in research, however his personal and professional interest in sustainability led him to take an alternate career path focused on making labs more sustainable. He established the consultancy Green Lab Associates to help researchers to reduce the energy and resources they use in their workspace. He also consults various institutions, helping them develop greener practices. Farley was invited to Technology Networks’ Ask Me Anything session to answer your questions about the future of sustainability in research and laboratory practices. Q: Is it ever possible for a lab to be 100% sustainable since there is so much plastic waste? A: We don’t know how to do net-zero science yet – we don’t know how to achieve net zero for most things yet – but we do know how to vastly mitigate the impacts. I think that’s the way to look at it: while we don’t have all the immediate solutions, we have a lot of immediate actions we can take. I don’t think science inherently will ever be absolutely net zero, but that’s not to say that we should stop doing it. Maybe it will be one day, a lot of it depends on our energy sources and the energy mix, and there is a lot we know we can do now. Q: Could you explain what the lab efficiency assessment framework (LEAF) is? A: The best analogy is that if you want to make your lab safe, you use a health and safety standard. You don’t start from square one, you have a standard that’s set and gives you actions and targets to adhere to. And that was the idea behind LEAF – to give people a standard approach to sustainability to make it more accessible. Laboratories that sign up are given sustainability actions to work through and, depending on the criteria that they meet, they are certified with a bronze, silver or gold award. There are also calculators within the tool that allow people to estimate some of their carbon and financial impacts. LEAF is intended to mimic what we’ve seen with gender equality in science. It was mandated that if you wanted to get funding, you had to achieve a certain level within the Athena SWAN framework to make these changes happen quickly. It was great that gender equality wasn’t made voluntary, and I would argue that that’s something that we need with sustainability now. Q: What steps can a lab take to properly manage e-waste generated from old equipment? A: There’s planned obsolescence by a lot of the large companies that provide equipment. But, if your IT department will allow it, there are third party providers that will take over contracts and warranties to extend their lifetime. If a piece of equipment needs to go out the door, then I would recommend looking at third parties who can take the equipment and pass it on. In the UK, for example, there’s providers such as UniGreenScheme. Lab Sustainability 19 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability Q: Are green labs more expensive to run? A: This is a common feeling and concept, I would disagree with it, but it depends. One of the challenges to sustainability is our financial systems. Currently, our pots of money are all spread in ways that work for accountants but don’t work for sustainability. Let’s take the reuse of consumables as an example. Somebody’s going to have to pay for somebody’s time to go and wash them, and you might see energy consumption go up. However, in a university, that energy consumption is paid by a separate department than the ones that pay for the technician and the consumables, so that removes some of the incentive. We assessed the costs of reusing consumables. We showed that, overall, the cost of reuse was comparable to single use, if not less, depending on the consumable. The issue is how to incentivize it. Labs often don’t pay for energy, so why should they pay for a piece of equipment or take more time out of their very busy lives to do something that will save energy if they don’t see that incentive? If we were to remove some of these financial barriers, we would see that sustainability in labs is actually about using equipment for a longer lifespan. You can’t buy your way to sustainability, so it’s about reusing or repairing things more, which overall should save money. It’s also about sharing resources and making more data more accessible. If we were to invest in better sharing of data systems, it’s an upfront cost, but we get more out of the data in the long term. For example, the brain banks across the UK use a common sample management system, which means that they’re all aware of each other’s samples. It is a wonderful model but, currently, we haven’t put the incentives in the right place to invest in these systems. Another example I want to give is the grant system. If you win a grant, there’s a limited time when you can spend it. If you don’t spend it by the end of the year, the accountants or department leads might take it back. Why haven’t we figured out a system to incentivize underspend on grants? There are a few wider systems that make it tough right now. Financially, I would argue that overall, if we’re sharing our resources appropriately, sustainable science would be so much cheaper. There are a lot of examples, but it requires looking at the system as a whole, which is sometimes challenging on an individual basis with the way financial systems are set up. Q: What if we were to overlook sustainability in the lab entirely? A: Science is growing exponentially, at a much faster rate than the global GDP. There’s the largest number of scientists we’ve ever had, so the impact of it is growing exponentially as well. We have to take part. Most of the carbon impact we have is through the consumption of materials, and it’s a whole chain: the embodied carbon of where the material comes from, the shipping, the manufacturing, the consumption, the usage. I wouldn’t say that we can just ignore it. We want to do more science that helps us understand how to address climate change, but not all science is equal. A lot of science enables climate change and enables consumption, so consider the type of science you do long term. Science is a tool, but it’s as good of a tool as we make it. It can help us address climate change, or it can enable it as well. Martin Farley was speaking to Lucy Lawrence, Senior Digital Content Producer for Technology Networks. About the interviewee: Martin Farley is the associate director of Environmental Sustainability Programs at UK Research and Innovation. He is experienced in methods to improve the sustainability and efficiency of scientific research. Fresh water should not be taken for granted and the more that is used and flushed down the drain, the more there is to treat too. Lab cleaning and sterilization processes can be particularly water-heavy, often involving detergents and strong cleaning agents that must be kept out of our water courses. WATER USAGE LABS USE AROUND FIVE TIMES MORE WATER PER SQUARE FOOT THAN GENERAL OFFICES! ○ Only use purified or sterilized water if you really need it, while you may not use less water, it will save on energy. ○ Use lab glass and equipment washers and autoclaves at full capacity. ○ Keep your lab’s water systems well maintained – water is the most common reagent used in the lab and any contamination could lead to experimental failures, wasting time, samples and materials. ○ Given the relatively large number of sinks in most labs, the water lost from dripping taps can soon add up so get them fixed. TO CURB YOUR LAB’S WATER USE: CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL INFOGRAPHIC Sustainability LAB 21 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Credit: iStock Biotech and Pharma’s Carbon Impact: Insights From My Green Lab Anna MacDonald The biotech and pharma industry has a significant carbon footprint – with total carbon emissions of 193 million tCO2-e in 2022. The sector is also rapidly growing, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the global biotech market of 13.9% from 2023 to 2030. Together, this makes improving our understanding of the industry’s impact on climate change and working to reduce its carbon emissions crucial to ensure global warming is limited to the 1.5 °C target set by the Paris Agreement. Using data provided by Intercontinental Exchange, My Green Lab – a non-profit organization that aims to build a global culture of sustainability in science – has produced a report providing key insights into the current state of the sector’s carbon emissions. As an update to My Green Lab’s 2021 study, the report The Carbon Impact of Biotech and Pharma: Collective Action Accelerating Progress to the UN Race to Zero is based on data from 226 publicly listed companies and 147 privately held companies. “What this report does is it quantifies the total carbon impact of the industry, looking across all three scopes, so both up and down the value chain, as well as the emissions controlled by the companies themselves,” James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab told Technology Networks. The environmental impact of scientific research has historically been somewhat ignored due to the importance attributed to advances in areas such as medical treatments and technical innovations Connelly explained, but the report provides an overview of the industry’s carbon footprint and identifies key opportunities for change. Progress seen, but it’s not universal Encouragingly, the report found that the largest companies by revenue are making progress, with the top 25 companies reducing their annual Scope 1 and 2 emissions by an average of 5.31% per year since 2015, and the top 15 by 8.06%. “We’re starting to decouple growth of the biotech and pharmaceutical industry from increased carbon output, so that overall trend is really exciting,” Connelly said. However, progress has not been universal. “Unfortunately, while the top companies are driving reductions, particularly in the past year, if you look at the broader industry as a whole, we’re actually seeing carbon intensity increase,” Connelly added. The report also found a strong correlation between region and carbon intensity. “One thing that was very interesting in the data was the carbon impact of companies based in Asia-Pacific tend to be about twice as high for Scope 1 and 2, compared to companies based in Europe or North Lab Sustainability 22 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability America,” Connelly said. The report authors note that this may be attributed to greater outsourcing of manufacturing by North American and European companies. Only 10% of the 91 public companies studied in the report were found to have targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) to be aligned with a 1.5 °C world. “The Science Based Targets Initiative is a global initiative to help bring some rigor and accountability when a company says they’re going to be net zero carbon,” Connelly explained. A company’s emission reduction target is evaluated to determine if it is aligned to a 1.5, 2 or 3 °C world. Despite the seemingly low percentage, Connelly noted that “10% is actually pretty good when you look across all of our global industries.” He was optimistic that this figure will increase as more corporate sustainability teams hold their suppliers accountable to an SBTI-aligned target. Some of the largest companies have begun working together through the Sustainable Markets Initiative to set a standard for suppliers. The interconnected global supply chain shared by biotech and pharma presents great opportunities for collective action Connelly explained: “When they act together, and in fact, only if they act together, are they able to influence their suppliers and create the change necessary at scale, to get the whole industry to drive towards net zero by 2050, or sooner.” More companies adopting zero carbon targets On a positive note, the number of biotech and pharma companies that have joined the UN Race to Zero has increased from 30 to 35 since last year, now accounting for 53% of the sector by revenue. The report highlights that this is beaten only by the financial services, consumer goods, fashion, and information and communication technology sectors. Importantly, 63% of pharma and med tech companies in the campaign have started a green lab program, nearly half of which have achieved the My Green Lab Certification at a global scale. “My Green Lab Certification is a tool to take high-level organizational goals and turn them into practical action on the ground in an area of research that’s often left behind because the idea is you can’t do something about it,” Connelly said. It is an “important way to align overall corporate values with what’s happening at the lab,” and can help the people within a company to feel involved in their sustainability initiatives he added. This certification was selected as a key indicator of progress for the UNFCCC High-Level Climate Champions’ 2030 Breakthroughs in 2021, with a goal that 95% of biotech and pharma labs have to be certified at the highest level by 2030. As part of efforts to scale up the number of companies on the pathway to achieving Certification, My Green Lab has recently announced a collaborative supply chain initiative with the largest pharma companies. Through collective action, the Converge initiative will incentivize and ultimately request CROs, CDMOs and CMOs within the supply chain to pursue My Green Lab Certification. Scope 1 emissions – direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, such as a natural gas boiler burning fuel onsite. Scope 2 emissions – indirect carbon emissions from purchased energy consumed by the reporting company, such as electricity. Scope 3 emissions – all other indirect emissions upstream or downstream in a company’s value chain. For example, upstream could include the materials required to make a vaccine, while downstream would include the energy used to store and dispose of the vaccine. My Green Lab Certification is the global gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices, providing scientists with actionable ways to make meaningful change. Over 2,000 labs in a range of sectors have been supported by the program which covers fourteen topics related to energy, water, waste, chemistry/ materials and engagement. 23 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability The report found Scope 3 emissions were almost five times larger than Scope 1 and 2 combined, and with purchased goods and services accounting for the majority of these Scope 3 emissions, improving supply chains can make a big impact on the industry’s carbon footprint. In addition to Converge, several other collective initiatives have been developed to address Scope 3 emissions, including Energize, which aims to accelerate renewable energy adoption, and Activate, a program to gather data on active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturers. Continued need for change The improvements noted in the report are positive signs that the biotech and pharma industry is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, but further change is needed to achieve the Paris Agreement target. Key areas of focus highlighted by the authors are the need for more accurate reporting and practical action plans for reducing carbon emissions. “We have to move at this point beyond commitments to real action. And what that takes to go from commitments to real action is the establishment of good baselines from which to measure from,” Connelly said. Scope 3 data is calculated using a lot of assumptions, which can make it hard to establish baselines and subsequently measure the impact of changes Connelly noted. However, the authors remain optimistic that the industry is well-equipped to take on this challenge and act as a model for other industry sectors to achieve net zero carbon. Tools like My Green Lab Certification can play a key role in helping to put organizational-level carbon goals into action. “It’s time, not only to set big goals, but we’ve got to get to work and make them happen on the ground,” concluded Connelly. About the interviewee: James Connelly serves as the chief executive officer of My Green Lab. Prior to his role at My Green Lab, Connelly held the position of Vice President of Strategic Growth at the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). In this capacity, he spearheaded international growth strategies and was a founding board member of Living Future Institute Europe. During his time at ILFI, James initiated several cutting-edge sustainability programs, earning numerous scholarships and awards for his impactful research and contributions. Connelly was named a Greenbiz 30 under 30 Sustainable Business Leader in 2016 and a Net Zero Energy Trailblazer in 2019. 24 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Credit: iStock Inspiring Scientists To Implement Sustainability in the Lab Kate Robinson In 2019, Lee Hibbett set up the Technical Sustainability Working Group (TSWG) for the University of Nottingham (UoN). This group of lab technicians from the University’s Nottingham and Derby campuses works to see where best practices from different departments can be rolled out to the whole University. In this interview, Lee discusses the challenges in promoting sustainability, the achievements of TSWG, the benefits of sustainable lab practices and how laboratory managers could improve the sustainability of their operations. Q: What are the key challenges in promoting sustainability in laboratory settings? A: Promoting sustainability in labs faces several hurdles: 1. Resource consumption: Labs are resourceintensive, using large amounts of energy, water, chemicals and single-use plastics. Changing ingrained practices and finding efficient alternatives can be difficult especially in a higher education setting. 2. Chemical safety: Sustainable practices must prioritize safety. Finding non-toxic or less hazardous alternatives might require adjustments to protocols. But every time any changes are to be made for sustainable reasons, health and safety must be consulted first and this can take time and money. 3. Upfront costs: Investing in sustainable equipment or modifying infrastructure can seem expensive initially, despite potential long-term savings. Having a great business case to show all the benefits of the proposed changes makes a big difference in getting funding. 4. Awareness and behavior change: Encouraging staff and students to adopt new practices requires ongoing education and addressing ingrained habits. So, finding good courses and delivering them well helps to foster change. Q: Can you tell us about the Technical Sustainability Working Group and its goals? A: The working group is led by our technicians here at UoN. It is important to have technicians, who are at the forefront of university labs, to lead green initiatives and share our best sustainable practices and ideas to the working group, the university sustainability team and external partners to make the work we all do greener and more sustainable. We have 35 members that meet every three months to discuss what has been happening in their labs/schools and a Teams page that we use for all information sharing. So far, we have: • Set up writing instrument recycling on campus to recycle all used pens, markers etc., with a local Lab Sustainability 25 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability school. Over 30 kg of equipment has been saved from going to landfill. • Purchased over 200 waterless condensers for labs, which will save 4 million liters of water per year. • Replaced 100 water pumps, saving over 10 million liters of water. • Started moving -80°C ULT freezers to -70°C to save 25% in energy usage and have replaced six old inefficient freezers, saving over >30,000 kWs in energy. • Purchased a solvent recycler to recycle acetone from cleaning glassware (last year around 600 liters were saved from disposal) and started using green solvents in the chemistry labs. • Set up polystyrene recycling. • Signed on to the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) as a way of benchmarking efficient and sustainable lab practices. So far 80 labs have achieved a bronze or silver award. • Recycled consumables, furniture and old lab equipment. Q: What are the benefits of transitioning towards more sustainable lab practices? A: Reduced environmental impact: Lower energy and water use, less waste and safer chemicals benefit the environment. Cost savings: Sustainable practices can lead to cost reductions in waste disposal, energy bills, lab consumables, lab equipment purchasers and water usage. Improved safety: Sustainable practices often involve using less hazardous chemicals, leading to a safer work environment, and better protocols for the experiments being run. Enhanced reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability can attract environmentally conscious researchers and funding and increases the universities reputation/score in national and international rankings. Q: What advice would you give to laboratory managers who are interested in improving the sustainability of their operations: A: Clearly communicate the lab/schools commitment to sustainability to researchers and staff. This initial buy-in is essential for long-term success. Highlighting the environmental and financial benefits can motivate participation. Conduct a lab sustainability audit (LEAF is a great way of starting this journey) to identify areas for improvement. This can involve analyzing energy and water consumption, waste generation by type (hazardous, chemical, plastic etc.) and chemical purchasing habits. Look for inefficiencies and areas where substitutions or procedural changes can make a difference. Train staff on sustainable practices and involve them in decision-making. Workshops and seminars can raise awareness and provide practical tips for implementing sustainable practices in everyday lab tasks. Encourage staff to suggest ideas and participate in brainstorming sessions to develop solutions (the TSWG is a great example of this). Explore resources from organizations like the American Chemical Society’s Green Chemistry Institute the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Laboratory Efficiency Action Network (LEAN) These institutes provide a wealth of information on sustainable practices, including alternative procedures, safer chemicals and lab design considerations. Universities and research institutions may also have sustainability offices or internal resources to provide guidance and support. Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability by adopting sustainable practices yourself and encouraging collaboration. This could involve implementing paperless protocols, reusing glassware whenever possible and opting for energy-efficient equipment. Look for opportunities to collaborate with other labs on sustainable purchasing or sharing resources to reduce waste. Lee Hibbett was speaking to Kate Robinson, Assistant Editor for Technology Networks. About the interviewee: Lee Hibbett is a technical manager in the school of pharmacy at the University of Nottingham, and the founder of the Technical Sustainability Working Group. 26 TECHNOLOGYNETWORKS.COM Lab Sustainability Contributors Anna MacDonald Anna is a senior science editor at Technology Networks. She holds a first-class honors degree in biological sciences from the University of East Anglia. Before joining Technology Networks she helped organize scientific conferences. Charlotte Houghton Charlotte is a carbon reduction manager at the University of Oxford. She focuses on identifying, developing and delivering carbon reduction projects, specifically with regard to building services. Kate Robinson Kate is an assistant editor at Technology Networks. She joined the team in 2021 after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. Laura Lansdowne Laura Lansdowne is the managing editor at Technology Networks, she holds a first-class honors degree in biology. Before her move into scientific publishing, Laura worked at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and GW Pharma. Lucy Lawrence Lucy Lawrence is the Senior Digital Content Producer at Technology Networks. Her unwavering belief in the transformative power of science drives her to create exceptional content that educates, inspires, and entertains. Srividya Kailasam, PhD Srividya holds a PhD in analytical chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. She has developed numerous LC, LC-MS and LC-MS/MS methods for the analysis of a variety of samples.