5 Ways to Drive Lab Sustainability
Laboratories play an essential role in scientific, medical, and technological progress. However, they can have a significant environmental impact. From single-use plastics to energy-intensive equipment, products and practices used in day-to-day lab operations can contribute substantially to climate change.
As global efforts to prevent climate change intensify, lab practices are coming under increasing scrutiny, and running more sustainable laboratories has become a priority. But with so many things to consider, it can be difficult to know where to start.
That's why we've outlined five practical, actionable tips to help you create a more sustainable lab.
1. Work to reduce the energy consumption of existing equipment
Labs consume more energy per square foot than any other sector,1 typically using 5 to 10 times more energy than a typical office building.2 Reducing this high energy consumption is one of the most important strategies to increase lab sustainability; if just half of American labs reduce their energy use by 30%, it is estimated this would decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 19 million tons — equal to the effect of removing 1.3 million cars from U.S. highways.2
To reduce energy consumption in your lab:
- Set your ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers to -70°C: increasing ULT freezer setpoint temperature from -80°C to -70°C can reduce energy consumption by up to 30-40% on older, legacy freezers.3 It is still safe to store the vast majority of samples at this temperature, but be sure to verify this for each of your stored materials.
- Turn off equipment when not in use: turning off equipment such as fume hoods and lab computers when they are not in use is one of the quickest and simplest methods of reducing power consumption
- Regularly maintain and calibrate equipment: Routine checks and basic maintenance — like removing frost build-up, cleaning the filter, and testing refrigerator or freezer door seals are working — ensures your equipment is running at peak energy efficiency, and also prolongs equipment lifespan. Looking for ULTs with features such as frost mitigation can help ensure freezers are running optimally for longer, minimizing increases in energy consumption and therefore reducing environmental impact.
2. Invest in more eco-friendly lab equipment
Most of a lab's energy is consumed by equipment such as refrigerators and freezers. For example, a conventional ULT freezer can use as much energy per day as the average US household4 (older, more inefficient equipment can potentially consume even more).
In addition to potentially higher power demands, outdated cold storage equipment may also use older, less common refrigerants, reducing lab sustainability.
When it's time to purchase new fridges and freezers, be sure to:
Note that ENERGY STAR® certification requirements are changing after June 30th, 2025. If you are purchasing a new unit before then, check with the vendor that the product will still be part of ENERGY STAR® after the changes. You can find more information on the changes, and how to navigate them, in our on-demand
webinar.
- Prioritize energy efficient models: look for more energy efficient lab freezers, specifically models that are ENERGY STAR® certified, signaling their compliance with strict energy efficiency standards. ENERGY STAR® lab freezers typically use 60% less energy than standard-efficiency models,5 reducing both environmental footprint and energy costs.
- Opt for cold storage units with natural, low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants: The lower a refrigerant's GWP score, the better it is for the environment. One of the most popular refrigerants used today, R-134a, has a GWP of 1,430. Newer, natural hydrocarbon refrigerants (such as isobutane), however, have GWP scores as low as 3.6
- Consider equipment that reduces consumable waste: selecting equipment that eliminates or reduces the need for consumables can help further minimize environmental impact. For example, look for incubators that do not require HEPA filters to help keep single-use components out of landfill.
- Select equipment without regulated components: many traditional incubators use mercury-based UV lamps, which require special waste considerations once they reach the end of their life. Models with mercury-free UV-LED lighting eliminate hazardous waste and are longer-lasting, making them far better for the environment.
3. Reduce plastic and e-waste
From pipette tips to gloves and media bottles, labs are highly dependent on a variety of single-use plastics — producing an astounding 5.5 million tons of plastic waste per year.7 Add to that the large amounts of electrical equipment, such as ULT freezers and incubators, that also find their way into landfills, and the scale of the waste problem becomes clear.
Fortunately, there are steps a lab can take to reduce their plastic and e-waste:
- Recycle where possible: many labs don't realize how much lab plastic waste is recyclable. Items like nitrile gloves, tip boxes and conical tubes,8 can often be diverted from landfill and recycled
- Go reusable: replace single-use plastic containers with reusable, autoclavable glassware, when and where sterility and workflows allow
- Look for more sustainable suppliers: find suppliers who offer more recyclable items, and actively reduce the amount of plastic used in their products (e.g., by redesigning packaging to use less plastic)
- Plan for electrical equipment end-of-life: Avoid sending end-of-life equipment straight to landfill. Instead, look at recycling options. Better yet, consider end-of-life options at the point of purchase and choose vendors who support more sustainable disposal methods, like take-back or donation programs for old equipment
4. Implement 'green chemistry' practices
Many traditional lab chemicals are hazardous to both people and the environment. If they are not properly disposed of, they can contaminate water and soil, harming wildlife and ecosystems.
Even when chemicals are disposed of correctly, the process uses extensive amounts of energy, which can further increase a lab's carbon footprint.
To promote lab sustainability:
- Consider less toxic alternatives to chemicals: many of the toxic solvents and reagents used in labs now have less toxic alternatives9 (ethidium bromide, for instance, can be replaced with SYBR® safe or GelRedTM).10
- Look for chemicals from renewable feedstocks: many common chemicals are derived from non-renewable petroleum sources. Luckily, there are now a variety of processes that can create chemicals from greener, renewable sources such as algae and sugar cane, reducing reliance on fossil fuels9
- Reduce solvent use: the most effective way to reduce chemical waste is to generate less of it. If you must use toxic solvents, then, use the minimum volume necessary, and implement solvent recycling programs where possible.
5. Reduce water consumption
Labs consume vast volumes of water in day-to-day lab operations, including in autoclaves, cooling systems, cleaning, and general use in experiments. In fact, labs use five times more water per square meter than typical office spaces,11 making water consumption a crucial target for lab sustainability practices.
Reduce your water consumption by:
- Fitting autoclaves with water-saving devices: autoclaves are among the largest water users in the lab. Steam-jacketed autoclaves, for example, can use up to 60 gallons per cycle.12 To reduce this, there are water-saving devices that can be retrofitted to steam-jacket autoclaves and are capable of cutting water usage by 75-90%12 without affecting performance.
- Check taps for leaks: encourage staff to consistently check taps for leaks and promptly report them
- Reduce unnecessary water usage: make sure lab personnel don’t leave taps running unnecessarily (e.g., such as when washing dishes)
- Installing low-flow aerators to taps: low-flow aerators can fit over existing taps and reduce water flow from 4.0 gallons a minute to <1.5 gallons a minute, without changing the pressure12
Improving lab sustainability, one step at a time
Laboratories can be a significant contributor to climate change, having to contend with a wide range of sustainability challenges, including plastic waste, chemical use, and high water and energy consumption. But, with small, targeted changes and environmentally conscious decision-making, labs can reduce their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals.
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