This eBook explores how labs can embed sustainability into facility design, reduce
energy and water use, improve equipment efficiency, and rethink waste and
resource management. You will also find insights on evaluating environmentally
friendly alternatives to common lab equipment, as well as strategies for integrating
sustainability into planning, procurement, and lab culture.
Rethinking Sustainability
in Science
Balance environmental responsibility with
operational excellence
From energy-intensive equipment to plastic waste, the environmental impact of lab operations
is substantial. As global awareness around sustainability continues to grow, labs are increasingly expected—and often required—to align their practices with more environmentally
responsible standards.
For lab managers, the primary challenge is balancing sustainability with performance and
budgets. Fortunately, integrating sustainable practices doesn’t require compromising scientific
accuracy or operational efficiency. In fact, sustainable strategies can often lead to long-term
cost savings, improved safety, and enhanced lab productivity.
Sustainability starts with lab design, including careful material selection and HVAC optimization. Environmental considerations continue through procurement decisions, such as
investing in energy-efficient cold storage and sourcing eco-conscious suppliers, and extend
into daily practices like adopting sustainable waste management practices.
Chapter One
Designing a More
Sustainable Lab
Sustainable lab practices begin with the decisions made long before experiments are run.
From the lab layout to equipment selection, the design and procurement phase sets the
foundation for long-term environmental impact.
This chapter explores the many ways that lab design and equipment selection can reduce
a lab’s footprint without compromising research performance. Articles examine how sustainable design principles can be applied to new and existing labs, and provide guidance
on selecting energy-efficient equipment, including incubators, cold storage, fume hoods,
and gas generators. You’ll also find strategies for making the business case for sustainable
investments, helping lab leaders advocate for changes that support both environmental
and operational goals.
5 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Sustainable Lab Design: Building
with a Low Environmental Impact
Lab managers drive sustainability by optimizing energy use, selecting
eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and ensuring compliance with
green standards
By MaryBeth DiDonna
The growing emphasis on sustainability in laboratory construction is not just an ethical choice but a necessity. Laboratories are among the most resource-intensive facilities, with
high energy demands, stringent ventilation requirements,
and specialized equipment.
Lab managers are crucial in driving sustainability efforts
by implementing energy-efficient practices, optimizing
equipment usage, and ensuring proper waste management
protocols. They are also responsible for selecting sustainability-minded vendors, maintaining green certifications,
and training staff on best practices to minimize environmental impact.
Lab managers can influence design decisions that enhance
long-term efficiency and sustainability by actively collaborating with architects, engineers, and facility teams. Their
leadership in integrating eco-friendly technologies and
6 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
operational strategies is essential for achieving a low-impact,
high-performance lab environment.
The foundation of sustainable lab
design
Chris Flint Chatto, AIA, LFA, LEED AP, BD+C, principal
at ZGF Architects, highlights how sustainable lab design can
address these challenges through thoughtful integration of
materials, systems, and processes.
“I think there have been two big transformations in the material world that we’ve seen a lot of traction on that affect laboratories,” says Chatto. “One is the recognition that materials we
use in our buildings tend to be very energy- and carbon-intensive in terms of the carbon emissions associated with producing them.” The second, he adds, is “recognition that these
materials have potential human health impacts, both in their
entire life cycle and in the creation of those materials.”
Embodied carbon, or the global warming potential (GWP) of
materials, has gained attention as designers seek to minimize
emissions from energy-intensive building components like
structures, enclosures, and partitions. At the same time,
concerns about materials’ health impacts—ranging from
toxic emissions during production to off-gassing in buildings—have led to greater transparency from manufacturers
through Health Product Declarations (HPDs). HPDs, along
with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which
provide information about embodied carbon and other
environmental impacts, allow designers to make informed
choices to create more sustainable, resource-efficient, and
healthier buildings.
Incorporating sustainability begins with addressing these
core elements. Key strategies include:
) Optimizing energy-efficient HVAC systems
) Selecting sustainable materials
) Integrating waste reduction practices during construction and operation
Chatto cites ZGF’s work on UMass Chan Medical School’s
New Education and Research Building (NERB). Given its
high carbon intensity, the team focused on optimizing the
concrete mix to reduce embodied carbon in the laboratory
project. Working with a local supplier, they achieved a 32-33
percent reduction in the foundation system’s embodied carbon (one of the largest uses of concrete in the building) and
an overall 13 percent reduction across the building compared
to typical regional concrete. EPDs were used to measure and
procure lower-GWP materials, including insulation, paints,
and acoustic panels. On the human health front, materials
such as paints, rubberized tile, and ceiling systems were
selected for safer ingredients. While EPD and HPD optimization are still evolving, the market is growing, and demand
for sustainable materials continues to rise.
Energy efficiency and sustainable lab
materials
HVAC systems are a cornerstone of sustainable lab design
due to their outsized role in energy consumption. Chatto
emphasizes the importance of heat recovery systems, which
reclaim up to 90 percent of energy from exhaust air, and hybrid ground-source heat pumps, which provide a low-carbon
alternative to conventional heating and cooling.
Key considerations for lab managers include evaluating the
energy performance of HVAC systems in conjunction with
architectural elements. “Understanding how the architecture relates to the mechanical system, and how we can optimize those systems for energy performance but also for cost
performance, is crucial,” Chatto advises. Integrated design
can ensure cost and energy efficiencies without compromising functionality.
7 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
In the UMass NERB project, an optimized HVAC approach
eliminated perimeter heating systems by utilizing a super-insulated building envelope and triple-pane glazing, resulting in significant energy savings. Despite high ventilation
rates, a super-insulated envelope with triple-pane glazing
eliminated the need for perimeter mechanical conditioning,
reducing costs and solar gain. These savings enabled the use
of a hybrid ground source heat pump system, which supplies over 90 percent of heating and 50 percent of cooling,
significantly reducing carbon intensity. Additional optimizations included active chilled beams for efficient heating and
cooling and high-efficiency heat recovery systems, capturing
over 80-90 percent of exhaust energy. This holistic approach
balanced energy performance with cost efficiency while
maintaining project budgets.
Lab managers should prioritize materials based on their
prevalence in the building and potential human health impacts. Flooring, wall coverings, and other high-contact surfaces are especially important, given their direct exposure
to occupants. “Look at it from a total lifecycle perspective,”
cautions Chatto, explaining that this assessment should evaluate how many times something like a flooring system might
have to be replaced during a building’s anticipated lifespan
so that lab managers can make a choice based on this impact.
Minimizing waste is another critical pillar of sustainable lab
design. Strategies like modular building components and separating material waste streams can drastically reduce waste
during construction. Chatto notes that the UMass project
achieved over 90 percent recycling of construction waste,
aided by site-specific strategies and contractor collaboration.
Certifications such as LEED, WELL, and Zero Carbon Certification provide frameworks for sustainable design. While
LEED Gold is a widely recognized benchmark, Chatto
suggests that newer standards like the Zero Carbon Certification offer valuable insights into operational and embodied
carbon metrics. These certifications validate sustainability
efforts and guide decision-making throughout the project
lifecycle. Lab managers evaluating certifications should look
for systems aligning with their facility’s goals, whether energy efficiency, occupant health, or carbon neutrality.
Assembling the right team to prioritize
sustainable lab design
The success of a sustainable lab project hinges on collaboration. Fostering a culture of sustainability among stakeholders
is essential. Setting and tracking clear goals ensures alignment across teams, from design to maintenance.
Chatto stresses the importance of an integrated team that
balances programmatic, mechanical, and architectural
requirements while listening to their clients, understanding their research needs, and collaboratively solving design
challenges. Lab managers should seek professionals with
experience in high-performance buildings and a portfolio
of diverse projects. During the selection process, questions
about experience with sustainable certifications, familiarity
with EPDs and HPDs, and approaches to integrated design
can help identify the right partners.
A comprehensive strategy is essential to balance research
priorities with sustainability goals. “The ‘old school’ way of
architects coming up with the design and the mechanical
engineers making it work no longer suffices,” Chatto says.
The project team must understand the integration between
architecture, structure, and energy systems. “A team that
is really adept at solving these problems in a creative and
holistic way is, I’d say, the primary requirement.”
Sustainable lab design is not a one-size-fits-all approach but
a dynamic process tailored to each facility’s unique demands.
Lab managers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint
by prioritizing energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and
waste reduction while supporting cutting-edge research.
“We need to make sure that we meet [a lab’s] defined research needs, but we need to do it in a sustainable way with
the climate and carbon challenge that our society has,” says
Chatto. “A team that can understand the integration between
envelope architecture, structure, and energy needs—to
optimize all those variables—is really important.”
“Sustainable lab design is not a onesize-fits-all approach but a dynamic
process tailored to each facility’s
unique demands.”
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9 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Making the Business Case
for Sustainable Solutions
in Your Lab
A guide to building an airtight argument for sustainable investments
By Paula McDaniel, PhD
Sustainability is a key issue in today’s world, but what does
it actually mean for your lab’s operations? Lab-focused
sustainability improvements often address changes relating
to raw material choices or waste stream reduction, not lab
processes. Whether your team focuses on testing, synthesis,
or manufacturing, decisions on improving your operation’s
sustainability often come down to a cost/benefit analysis.
Peeling back the layers of inputs and outputs for your operation is key to building your case for change.
ROI: The cornerstone of your argument
Building the case for any investment-requiring change
starts with a return-on-investment (ROI) calculation. Very
simply, ROI is cost savings divided by investment cost. ROI
calculations determine the financial benefit of an investment
by calculating the length of time to recover the cost of the
investment. Investments can be capital, lab renovations, or
software. Supporting a green solution with smart financial
10 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
assessment is the way to get buy-in on the proposed investment. The process of digging through the details will help
you validate the true cascading benefit of the option under
consideration.
The assessment is often straightforward in standard investment calculations, such as replacing an aging piece of
equipment. Investment costs are usually compared to parts
availability/repair costs and lost revenue if the instrument
fails altogether. Now, let’s layer on solutions that will address
lowering the carbon footprint. In identifying greener options, look at your operation’s broader inputs and outputs.
Getting management buy-in will require some homework
by the lab manager. To achieve your lower carbon footprint
goals, changes might involve capital acquisition, space modifications, and workflow changes.
Factors to calculate ROI
In calculating the cost of and return on implementing
greener solutions, think broadly about inputs and outputs
in the operation. As you gather data, don’t shy away from
items that are fuzzy in terms of exact dollar figure impact.
A list of comparisons to current state can be added even if
precise figures are not known. Outlined below are some basic
categories of cost and benefit to evaluate. In addition to more
standard items, sustainable considerations are also proposed.
Use these checklists to look for factors to include in your
ROI calculation and help determine when the time is right to
make a change.
Initial costs
In the case of an equipment capital investment, initial costs
will include some or all of the following:
) Equipment cost
) Lab renovations
) IT fees (e.g., network accessibility and software licensing fees for users)
) Operator training (e.g., courses and travel)
) Secondary capital (e.g., prep equipment, balances,
and new gas handling systems)
Also, factor in savings that might be realized with the tradein or sale of existing equipment, along with opportunities for
operational consolidation.
Operational changes
Surrounding the core physical investment, identify operational process changes that can potentially impact the
sustainability of your operation. During this phase, collect
data that help paint a more complete picture of your overall
operation and evaluate the change’s true cost and environmental benefit.
Chemical cost: Compare type, purity, hazards, and amount
used. Remember that today’s process might need to be altered following implementation. Ensure you consider modifications to things such as flush cycles or replicates needed to
ensure operational cleanliness. If less efficient or lower-purity chemicals are used, more waste might be generated to
achieve desired operational readiness. In addition, evaluate
the cost to maintain your chemical supply through refrigeration or freezing.
11 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Disposable supplies (non-reusable): Consider quantity,
quality, and reuse options. In addition to ensuring your
operational quality is maintained, evaluate if a change in
scale/size of vials, tubes, or pipettes can be made to reduce
waste. Some supplies might be greener based on material of
construction and final disposal options (landfill versus incineration). Factor in the human cost to implement disposal
or reuse operations. Personnel time and cleaning waste are a
true cost that should not be overlooked.
Facility cost: Does the change allow the operation to use
less electricity, emit fewer/greener gases, or leave a smaller
footprint? Will a more modern approach allow you to retire
several pieces of older equipment, thereby consolidating
operations? These options can have a dramatic impact on
facility cost and electricity utilization. In addition, evaluate
the proposed change in the context of reduced engineering
control usage. Ventilation level or type (hoods, point-of-operation ventilation snorkels, ventilation enclosures) is a major
lab facility cost. In a complex lab operation, your facility
team might not be able to pinpoint a unit operation cost for
your calculation, but directional guidance is achievable. In
addition to electricity savings, air quality monitoring and
permitting costs in your locale can be significant drivers for
sustainable solutions in a laboratory operation.
Waste: In addition to the comments above, does your proposal enable the use of greener waste streams for chemicals
and disposables (gloves, vials, pipettes)? Partnering with your
environmental, health, and safety (EHS) expert can help you
make the best balance of cost and green solution choices.
Miscellaneous: Include paper and ink costs (and disposal costs) if transitioning to an electronic output. Do not
overlook acceptance hurdles by your team or your customers. Depending on quality system constraints, ensure your
documentation standards support the use of electronic media
for key phases of your operation.
Accounting for non-quantifiable changes
As scientists, our tendency is to strive for significant figures,
but not every change is going to come with a hard and fast
number for its cost or benefit. To incorporate these changes
into your argument, create qualitative evaluations, comparing today with the future solution to complement the hard
figures. Also, highlight pending changes that will impact
future operations. For example, an instrument will be unsupported by the vendor, a chemical will become unavailable, or
a waste stream option will be obsoleted. Additional evaluations such as these can provide urgency and encourage time
sensitivity, which will aid your management decision-making process.
In evaluating sustainable solutions, don’t overlook the
“people impact” and broader benefit for your lab team. For
example, by implementing a software solution, do you enable
more remote work, reducing employee travel time and resources (automobile depreciation and travel congestion)? Can
instrument consolidation reduce travel time or give your
operators a less cluttered lab environment? Don’t overlook
the need for change management to accompany new process
or procedure implementation, but recognize that sustainable solutions are often attractive to existing and potential
employees alike.
External factors to consider
Additionally, your customers’ needs and industry drivers
can be utilized to prioritize sustainable solution implementation. Regulatory-driven customer requirements often
revolve around residual chemicals, which can make their
way to water, air, and people. If your lab has a manufacturing
focus, addressing greener solutions is an important driver
of change. Remember, however, that testing revalidation or
product requalification might be required based on your new
process or method. Engage your customers to ensure smooth
acceptance of your changes if needed.
Sustainable solutions can be a competitive advantage for
your organization and your company. Keep your finger on
the pulse of your industry and relevant EHS drivers to avoid
being caught off-guard when change is afoot. Partner with
other experts (waste disposal, facilities teams, EHS, chemical
vendor) to gather input on what challenges they have today
and what they see for the future. Prioritize your initiatives
and ensure you look broadly at inputs and outputs to assess
the overall sustainability of a solution. As you travel down
a greener operational path, don’t overlook simple changes
your team can make today while building the case for green
investments. Close sashes when hoods are not in use, turn off
unused equipment and lights, and reduce engineering controls (ventilation snorkels, special treatment hoods) to make a
dramatic difference in your lab’s carbon footprint today.
12 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Building a Sustainable Lab:
The Role of Temperature
Control Equipment
Explore how labs can adopt energy-efficient practices to enhance efficiency and
reduce environmental impact
By Morgana Moretti, PhD
Laboratories are increasingly integrating sustainable practices into their operations and strategies, allowing them to meet
consumer and staff expectations and position themselves as
leaders in innovation and environmental responsibility.
One effective approach to reducing a lab’s environmental
footprint is repurposing existing facilities with sustainable
systems or renovating buildings to align with eco-friendly practices. These strategies lower energy consumption
and demonstrate a lab’s commitment to environmental
stewardship.
This article explores how temperature control equipment
like incubators, refrigerators, and freezers can contribute to
13 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
a more sustainable lab. We also discuss strategies laboratories can implement to reduce the environmental impact of
these assets.
Challenges of running a sustainable
lab
Laboratories are essential for advancing scientific research
and conducting critical testing. However, they consume
significantly more energy and generate far more waste than
typical commercial buildings. The energy demands are driven by the use of specialized equipment, intensive heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as strict
safety measures, including high ventilation rates and continuous operation of safety devices. Additionally, labs generate
considerable waste, including hazardous materials, single-use
plastics, and electronic components.
Balancing operational efficiency and sustainability is no
easy task for those managing a lab. The need for reliable,
high-performance equipment often conflicts with efforts to
minimize energy use and waste. However, addressing these
challenges is essential to reducing a lab’s environmental footprint without compromising the quality of research, clinical
operations, or industrial processes.
The role of incubators, refrigerators,
and freezers in lab sustainability
While temperature control equipment, such as incubators
and freezers, is vital to lab operations, they are significant
contributors to energy use and environmental impact. Labs
can make meaningful steps toward sustainability by choosing efficient equipment and adopting more environmentally
friendly asset management practices.
Choose models with energy-saving features
Modern freezers, refrigerators, and incubators are designed
with energy-saving features that minimize power use while
maintaining the precise conditions required for sample storage and incubation.
For example, energy-efficient freezers often incorporate
faster temperature recovery systems that stabilize internal conditions quickly after door openings. This prevents
unnecessary strain on the cooling system and reduces overall
energy consumption. High-performance insulation also
minimizes heat transfer, ensuring less energy is required to
maintain ultra-low temperatures.
Similarly, refrigerators with adaptive temperature controls
can adjust their cooling cycles based on real-time usage
patterns. For instance, when a refrigerator detects periods
of inactivity (such as overnight), it can reduce its energy use
without compromising the stability of stored samples.
Incubators have also seen advancements in energy-efficient
technology. Modern models often include features like
advanced air circulation systems that evenly distribute heat
while using less power. Some incubators also come with
low-energy humidity controls and LED lighting, further
optimizing energy use without affecting culture growth or
experimental outcomes.
Evaluate mechanical vs non-mechanical freezers for
sustainability
When selecting a freezer for your laboratory, assess whether
a mechanical or non-mechanical freezer better aligns with
your sustainability and operational goals.
Non-mechanical freezers rely on consumables like dry ice
or liquid nitrogen to achieve ultra-low temperatures. These
freezers often have a lower direct energy footprint since they
do not use electricity for cooling. However, the sourcing,
transportation, and disposal of cryogenic materials affect
their sustainability profile. These logistical demands can also
increase costs and complicate operations, particularly in labs
with high throughput or limited storage capacity.
Mechanical freezers, though more energy-intensive to
operate, remove the need for consumables, thus eliminating
recurring purchases and reducing logistical challenges.
Ultimately, the choice between mechanical and non-mechanical freezers should be guided by your laboratory’s
specific sustainability goals and operational needs, balancing
direct energy savings against the broader implications of
consumable use and management.
Prioritize equipment with an extended lifecycle
Sustainability extends beyond daily operations. The acquisition, use, and disposal of temperature control equipment all
impact a lab’s environmental footprint.
14 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
When purchasing new equipment, prioritize models with
durable designs and modular components that extend lifespan and simplify repairs. Implement routine maintenance
schedules to extend operational lifespan and reduce the
likelihood of costly breakdowns.
When equipment reaches the end of its life, prioritize responsible disposal methods, such as recycling programs or
take-back initiatives offered by manufacturers. By choosing
repairable and recyclable options, labs can significantly reduce waste and lower their environmental footprint.
ENERGY STAR®: A benchmark for
sustainable equipment
The US Environmental Protection Agency has established
specifications for energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers
designed for laboratory use. The program aims to help labs
identify equipment that conserves energy and lowers operational costs without compromising performance.
Over 75 types of products, ranging from appliances and
electronics to lighting, heating, cooling, and commercial
equipment, are eligible for the ENERGY STAR label. The
certification process involves three steps:
Step 1: Testing
Manufacturers must first demonstrate that their products
meet ENERGY STAR specifications by undergoing testing in an EPA-recognized laboratory. This testing ensures
that energy efficiency does not come at the expense of
performance.
For example, ultra-low temperature freezers are evaluated
for their energy-saving capabilities and tested to ensure they
maintain precise and consistent temperatures essential for
sample integrity. This ensures that energy efficiency does
not compromise the performance needed for critical laboratory applications.
Step 2: Independent review
An impartial EPA-recognized certification body then reviews the results of the product testing. These third-party
organizations assess whether the product meets all program
requirements and qualifies for the ENERGY STAR label.
Both the certification bodies and the testing laboratories
must meet international accreditation standards to maintain
credibility.
Step 3: Ongoing testing
Certification does not end once a product earns the ENERGY STAR label. Products are subject to additional “offthe-shelf” testing after they hit the market. This ensures
that certified products consistently meet ENERGY STAR
criteria, giving consumers confidence in their energy efficiency claims.
The ENERGY STAR label, included on most qualifying
models, simplifies identifying compliant freezers. You can
also consult an online database to confirm the certification of
a specific unit.
Balancing performance and
sustainability
Sustainability in the lab is no longer an option—it is necessary for organizations wanting to remain relevant and competitive. Incubators, refrigerators, and freezers play a central
role in this effort, offering opportunities to cut energy use,
minimize waste, and align with green initiatives.
By focusing on energy efficiency, selecting the right type
of equipment, and prioritizing certifications like ENERGY
STAR, labs can reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing reliability and precision. This dedication to
sustainability enables labs to inspire change, foster innovation, and contribute to a healthier planet.
15 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Comparing Ductless vs Ducted
Fume Hoods
Fume hood design has come a long way over the past few decades, and there are
several different types to choose from
By Aimee Cichocki
Many laboratory applications require the use of a fume hood
to trap and exhaust volatile vapors and hazardous fumes.
Fume hood design has come a long way over the past few
decades, and there are several different types to choose
from. Conventional ducted fume hoods connect to facility
ductwork, sending contaminated air outside the facility.
Ductless fume hoods are standalone units that filter contaminated air, recirculating clean air back into the room.
Both types of fume hoods have advantages and drawbacks
in relation to cost, practicality, and other factors, and it’s
important to assess these before making a purchase.
Factors to consider when selecting
the ideal fume hood
While ductless fume hoods offer several advantages, they are
not suitable for all applications. A detailed chemical assess-
16 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
ment must be completed for ductless hoods before they can
be used. If your application and chemical use may change, or
if your application hasn’t been approved through a ductless
hood manufacturer’s filtration provider, this will need to be
assessed prior to installing a hood.
Another key consideration for ductless hoods is expected
filter life—information provided in the manufacturer’s filter
assessment—and your organization’s tolerance for changing
filters at that frequency. From a practical standpoint, because
ductless fume hoods don’t need to be connected to the
ductwork, they are more versatile in terms of placement and
can even be moved to different locations if needed.
If environmental concerns are top of mind, a ductless model
might be a better option. While some ducted fume hoods
contain filters, others don’t and send unfiltered, contaminated air outside the facility. Depending on the specific application and resulting fumes, this could have a negative impact
on the environment.
Weighing the costs of each option
Purchasing a fume hood can represent a large capital
investment, so it’s important to carefully consider the costs
involved. While ducted units tend to be less expensive than
ductless models, the unit cost isn’t the only thing to bear in
mind. Installing a ducted fume hood will at least involve
connection to the existing facility ductwork. Many labs will
already have heating, cooling, and ventilation capacity to
support the supply and exhaust airflow requirements for a
ducted hood. However, for those that do not, the cost can
exceed the cost of the fume hood itself.
Aside from the initial installation, you also need to look at
ongoing costs, which will vary depending on which model
you choose. Operational costs are lower for ductless units,
as air is recirculated back to the lab, unlike a ducted hood,
where it is pulled from outside, tempered, introduced to the
lab, moved through the hood, and returned outside.
Variable air volume
Variable air velocity systems use a valve or damper
to dynamically adjust airflow based on the sash
position. When the sash is closed, the system
reduces the volume of air, improving energy
efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. However,
these benefits are contingent on user behavior—the
sash must be closed when not in use to realize the
system’s full efficiency.
17 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Encourage Safety and
Sustainability with a
Gas Generator
When it comes to providing a regular supply of certain gases to your lab, a
generator offers unique benefits over alternative options
By Ian Black, MSComm, MSc
Many research labs make use of equipment or perform
experiments that require a regular supply of gases such as
hydrogen, helium, and nitrogen, for example. Historically,
labs purchase and store these gases in relatively large (roughly four feet tall) steel compressed gas cylinders. While there
are some benefits to this method, there are also numerous
safety concerns that limit the transportation and use of gas
cylinders and the quantity that can be stored in one space.
Alternatively, installing a gas generator can circumvent these
safety issues and provide a more sustainable option for supplying gas to your lab.
Gas generators can provide long-term cost and time savings
by cutting out the need to order gas. Removing this element
18 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
also helps researchers avoid potential gas supply shortages,
such as the most recent helium shortage. Additionally, gas
generators tend to be safer than gas cylinders as potentially
hazardous gases are only produced on an as-needed basis and
are not stored in a compressed form, limiting the potential
for dangerous accidents. Generating gas only as it’s needed
is also a more sustainable option that can help limit waste,
both of the gas itself and of the waste from shipping the
cylinders. While gas cylinders provide users with the ability
to order specific gas mixtures, gas generators are quickly
rising to become a safer, more sustainable option for research
laboratories.
Gas generator versus gas cylinder
safety
When using any amount of potentially hazardous gases for
research, there are always safety concerns to consider. While
gas cylinders have the benefits of being replaceable and of
taking up relatively little floor space, storage can be tricky. A
given structure has building or fire codes with maximum allowable quantities (MAQs) of gas cylinders that can be stored
at one time. This means lab managers need to make special
accommodations for cylinder storage or limit the number of
cylinders stored in a building.
“You can order cylinders to whatever specifications you
need—combinations with other gases, purities, calibrated to
an ASTM or NIST standard, sizes, etc.,” explains Jonathan
Klane, MSEd., CIH, CSP, CHMM, CIT. “But the fire and
building codes only allow so many cylinders within each hazard classification per fire control zone or area, which is usually the entire floor of the building unless it is divided with full
fire stops (such as chemical storage rooms, nano-fabs, etc.).”
Additionally, while it is less common, the compressed nature
of gas cylinders can lead to other safety concerns, such as
dangerous gas leaks or even explosions. If the gas being
stored is flammable, then a leak can cause a fire risk, but even
inert gases can be dangerous given the pressure they are
kept under. “If any gas cylinder (even with an inert gas) has
the stem broken off, it becomes a steel rocket and will smash
through concrete and brick walls,” adds Klane.
Gas generators take up more space than cylinders but are in
many ways much safer.
“Basically, gas generators create their gas on an as-needed
basis. It is ‘consumed’ or used up as it’s being created. So,
with no flammable gas accumulating, we have no hazards.
They are placed in one lab and used there,” explains Klane.
Finally, because gas produced from a gas generator is
consumed immediately while it’s being generated and
isn’t stored, gas generators do not count toward a building’s MAQs.
“Generating gas only as it’s needed
is also a more sustainable option
that can help limit waste, both of
the gas itself and of the waste from
shipping the cylinders.”
19 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Sustainability and convenience of gas
generators
In addition to safety concerns, many lab managers are looking
for ways to make their facilities more sustainable. Researchers who regularly use gases for their work will frequently
be forced to replace cylinders. This necessitates both the
compression and purification of gas into a new cylinder and
the shipping of those cylinders, often over long distances. Both
requirements are high-energy endeavors that contribute to
the lab’s carbon footprint. There are also additional economic
costs, both in the cost of shipping cylinders and in the potential wasted time during cylinder changeovers. On the other
hand, gas generators eliminate these concerns by removing the
need for shipping cylinders and compressing gas.
Another source of waste is the cylinders themselves. The
majority of gas cylinders either get fully used and replaced
or only get used until the experiment is completed and are
left with varying amounts of gas still in them. Either way, the
cylinders become a waste product that needs to be removed
from the lab. Since a gas generator only produces what gets
used, it eliminates this source of waste generation.
Gas generators are also more consistent and convenient
than cylinders. Generators require limited maintenance and
produce a consistent purity, unlike cylinders, which need to
be regularly replaced and can be of varying quality. These
conveniences prevent wasted time in the lab and help avoid
potential pain points.
As generators become increasingly prevalent and more
compact and efficient, many labs will benefit from switching from cylinders to central generators. The convenience
and consistency make generators a reliable option for labs
that need regular supplies. Coupled with the safety benefits
of not having to store unused gas in a potentially volatile
pressurized container and the added boost to sustainability
from decreasing shipping and waste, gas generators represent
a promising step forward for the future of research.
How to prolong the lifespan of your gas generator
(by Andy Tay, PhD)
Regularly change your filters: Gas generators use membrane filters to generate pure gases. It is
recommended that these be inspected on a regular basis, depending on how frequently gases are
generated and at what volume. Most manufacturers and service providers are able to recommend a
maintenance schedule.
Maintain consistent operating temperature and humidity: Most lab generators are designed to
work between 10-35°C. Temperatures outside this range may lead to increased pressure. To ensure
the operating temperature is kept in the recommended range, adequate airflow should be maintained
around the generator to facilitate good ventilation. The vents should not be obstructed so that waste
gases that are generated can be removed without any buildup of internal pressure. The gas generator
should also be placed away from direct sunlight and in an air-conditioned room. Similarly, gas
generators are also designed to work at an appropriate humidity. Users can use a hygrometer to check
for humidity or place the gas generators in an air-conditioned room to keep the air humidity low.
20 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide Product Spotlight
Onsite Laboratory Gas Generators
Enhance Sustainability by Reducing
Emissions, Minimizing Hazards, and
Improving Energy Efficiency
Reduced reliance on gas cylinders: Traditional gas supply relies on high-pressure cylinders that
require frequent transportation and refilling. Lab gas generators produce gases like nitrogen,
hydrogen, or zero air onsite, eliminating cylinder deliveries and reducing carbon emissions.
Lower environmental impact: By generating gases on demand, gas generators reduce the waste
and hazards related to leaking cylinders, including the disposal of cylinders and the risk of gas
discharge that is harmful to the environment.
Energy efficiency: Today’s lab gas generators are designed for energy-efficient operation and
consume less power compared to the footprint involved in producing, compressing, and transporting
bottled gases.
Improved safety and reduced waste: On-site lab gas generation eliminates the risks of handling
and storing compressed gases, reducing accidents, environmental contamination, and the
wastage of gases.
Cost savings reinforce sustainable practices: Overall reduced costs encourage the adoption of
sustainable, on-demand gas generation, promoting long-term environmental responsibility.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
21 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
How Labs Can Curb
Carbon Emissions
Collaboration, training, and analyzing internal processes are vital to reducing
carbon emissions
By Holden Galusha
Carbon emissions remain a growing side effect of laboratory
operations. According to a report published by non-profit My
Green Lab with data provided by Intercontinental Exchange
(ICE), the biotech/pharma industry’s carbon impact rose from
3.9 percent to five percent in 2022. And with the industry expected to be worth $3.9 trillion by 2030, according to the report,
these emissions will only increase unless action is taken now.
While it is undeniably vital that major players in the industry commit to sustainable science, labs of all sizes might find
a synergy by taking steps to reduce their own emissions that,
at scale, have a notable positive effect on the environment.
But how can labs achieve this? Ultimately, their efforts must
be tailored to address the three scopes of carbon emissions.
22 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Close to home: Cutting scope 1
emissions
Scope 1 emissions come from resources that the lab directly
owns or controls. It is important to note that this does not
include electricity consumed by lab equipment; while the
lab owns the equipment, the energy itself is generated at a
power plant and then purchased by the lab. As such, curbing
scope 1 emissions would involve practices to decrease fossil
fuel usage in company vehicles and regularly maintaining
equipment to prevent greenhouse gases from leaking.
Curb fossil fuel usage
If your lab relies on a company-owned vehicle to carry out
tasks, such as making local supply runs or transporting samples across your facility’s campus, consider optimizing the
routes to cut fossil fuel emissions and save time. Route planning software can be used to map the most efficient routes.
Regularly maintain assets and infrastructure
Lab assets such as freezers and facility infrastructure like
air-conditioning units can leak greenhouse gases (GHGs) from
their refrigeration loops. Regular preventive maintenance is
vital to stopping these leaks and eliminating GHG emissions.
Foster a culture of lab sustainability
“It’s important for a sustainability strategy that you [the lab
manager] get everybody involved,” says James Connelly,
CEO of My Green Lab, in an exclusive interview with Lab
Manager. Ideas to make lab operations more sustainable can
come from anyone, from bench scientists to facility maintenance workers. Cultivating awareness of sustainability across
your organization is perhaps one of the most effective steps a
lab manager can take in curbing their lab’s carbon emissions,
as it opens the floor for anyone to contribute ideas that lab
leadership may not have the frame of reference to see.
Ultimately, labs have the most influence over scope 1 emissions.
There are small improvements that all staff can make that can
have a significant cumulative effect on their lab’s emissions.
Energy smart: Curbing scope 2
emissions
Use more efficient equipment
Scope 2 changes would typically involve laboratory assets
using purchased electrical power. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have become cognizant of the environmental effects their products have when operating in the lab.
As a result, many have started informing their equipment
designs with sustainability best practices. Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers are a prime example. Some ULT
freezers are now charged with hydrocarbon refrigerant,
which is much more environmentally friendly than hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants.
Fume hoods also have sustainable alternatives. Assuming it is
suitable for your application, consider investing in a ductless
fume hood that instead relies on a carbon filter to capture
fumes, rather than piping them outside the facility.
There are also eco-friendly operation modes for many other
types of equipment, such as centrifuges. Look for such
modes on equipment your lab already has and consider enabling them if they will still meet your lab’s needs.
Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from assets
and resources that an organization owns or controls.
Examples include facility emissions, vehicle emissions,
and, in the case of laboratories, fume hood emissions.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions originating
from sources of purchased energy. Examples include
emissions from the power plant providing energy to
a lab, as well as locally purchased systems, such as
emissions from air conditioning and heating systems.
Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions generated
by all activities up- and downstream from the lab,
such as transportation, distribution, and emissions from
leased assets.
Decreasing emissions across all three scopes requires
internal process changes, collaboration, and analysis.
Lab managers can help decrease emissions from their
labs across all three scopes with informed decisions
and a thoughtful approach.
23 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Identify emissions hotspots
According to Connelly, there are calculation programs
available that can identify the “life cycle [environmental]
impact of research laboratories,” such as Labos’ open-source
GES 1point5 calculator. GES 1point5 makes it relatively
straightforward to quantify a lab’s carbon footprint, which
can inform where hotspots may be. That said, such an analysis may not be needed; you can manually locate hotspots
by examining your lab’s equipment and workflows. Connelly
explains: “If you have a [high] throughput of materials and
you produce a lot of waste, that’s probably your hotspot.
Identifying your biggest energy-consuming equipment tends
to be fume hoods, freezers, autoclaves, or biosafety cabinets . . .
you can address [these hotspots] pretty quickly.” Note that
the emissions hotspots Connelly describes can occur in any
of the three scopes.
Optimize inventory management
By managing inventory more intelligently, such as using a
dedicated inventory management program, labs can reduce
waste and potentially lessen the frequency of deliveries.
Additionally, it may be possible to consolidate multiple shipments into one. Work with your supply vendors to explore
what options exist to accomplish this.
Implement intelligent climate control
Laboratory HVAC systems use a tremendous amount of
energy, with ventilation systems comprising up to 44 percent
of a lab’s total consumption. To reduce this energy usage,
consider implementing facility monitoring systems that
automatically adjust temperature settings based on occupancy. This can allow the site to save energy overnight or at
other times that the lab is unoccupied by scaling back these
settings facility-wide
While scope 2 emissions are somewhat less out of a lab’s control than scope 1 emissions, lab managers still have options
for reducing them. The key is being open to change—effectively addressing scope 2 issues necessitates introducing
new tech like monitoring and facility automation, as well as
revamping internal processes.
Collaboration: The key to combating
scope 3 emissions
Scope 3 emissions originate from any activity up- or downstream from the lab that is not owned by the lab, including
travel, distribution, and leased assets. According to the
report, in 2022, scope 3 emissions were 4.6 times greater than
scope 1 and 2 emissions combined. To address scope 3 emissions, collaboration with other organizations in the supply
chain is vital.
Practice conscientious waste management
When asked about what lab managers can do to reduce scope
3 emissions, Connelly comments: “. . . They can reduce the
volume of waste. So, what can be recycled? Are we putting
everything that absolutely has to go into the red bag waste
in the red bag waste? [Or] can some of it, if properly sorted, go into typical waste hauling?” Connelly explains that
unnecessarily putting waste into biohazardous waste bags
will consume more power than necessary when autoclaved,
a process that “takes a huge amount of energy . . . [and]
there’s no way you’re going to ever recycle an autoclaved bag
of waste. [All of] the plastics have fused together, they’ve
deformed, they’ve degraded.” Ensure that staff are trained in
sorting and disposing of waste properly, never putting things
into red bag waste that could otherwise go in standard waste
bins and be recycled downstream.
Partner with like-minded suppliers and distributors
Because scope 3 emissions are up- and downstream of
the lab, reducing them necessitates partnering with other
organizations in the supply chain that are also committed
to sustainability. An easy way to identify such suppliers is
to find those who have achieved a certified commitment to
sustainability, such as the ACT Label from My Green Lab or
“While it is undeniably vital that
major players in the industry commit
to sustainable science, labs of all
sizes might find a synergy by taking
steps to reduce their own emissions
that, at scale, have a notable
positive effect on the environment.”
24 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
some equivalent. It’s imperative that a neutral third party issues the certification. “. . . People now really want third-party
certifications. They’re not happy with industry self-certifications, for obvious reasons. You don’t mark your own
homework; [it] has to be an independent, third-party-verified
standard,” says Connelly.
Scope 3 emissions lie at the points of intersection with other
organizations, whether they be suppliers, distributors, or
otherwise. As such, collaboration is a necessity to reduce
emissions effectively. By seeking out partners who share your
commitment to sustainable practices, you can work with
them to optimize the logistics around your collaborative
activities and drive down carbon emissions together.
Despite the recent spike in carbon emissions shown in the
report, the biotech/pharma industry can still curb its carbon
emissions significantly. It may be necessary, however, that
these initiatives be spearheaded at the level of individual labs
in grassroots efforts for sustainability. Lab managers should
continually look for ways to reduce their lab’s emissions and
encourage others to do the same if they wish to drive change.
Chapter Two
Integrating Sustainability
into Daily Operations
Designing a sustainable lab is only the beginning. From the way freezers are maintained
to how waste is handled and water is purified, small actions can add up to significant
environmental impacts over time.
This chapter focuses on the steps lab managers and staff can take to embed sustainability
into daily operations. The articles explore best practices for managing high-consumption
equipment, like freezers and water purification systems, and offer guidance on reducing
waste through more mindful procurement and disposal practices. With these skills, labs
can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support long-term environmental responsibility.
Prioritizing Sustainability
in Daily Decisions
Practical strategies to integrate sustainability into everyday laboratory operations
Making sustainable choices doesn’t have to mean overhauling your entire operation. Below are simple, practical steps your
lab can take to reduce its environmental impact.
Choose sustainable
suppliers
Evaluate vendors based on
sustainability credentials
(e.g., ACT Label)
Look for suppliers who use
renewable energy sources
and recycled materials in
their production
Consider the environmental
impact of transportation
Engage
your team
Secure buy-in from all staff
members
Encourage open discussions
about sustainability practices
Assign roles and
responsibilities for
sustainability initiatives
Every small
change contributes
to a larger impact.
Start today to build
a sustainable future
for your lab.
Optimize
equipment use
Train staff on proper
equipment maintenance
and use
Implement reminders to shut
down equipment after use
Schedule regular equipment
checks
Implement
daily habits
Conduct regular lab
walkthroughs to identify
waste and inefficiencies
Ensure proper segregation of
biohazard and common waste
Use clear signage to guide
recycling and waste disposal
Assess
and prioritize
Evaluate your team’s capacity
and resources
Identify key areas: recycling,
energy use, purchasing, etc.
Focus on initiatives that align
with your lab’s goals and
capabilities
27 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Best Practices for Freezer Efficiency
Exploring strategies to help your lab meet its sustainability targets through
efficient cold storage management
By Katarzyna Solka, MSc
Cold storage plays a crucial role in research by preserving
reagents and biological samples. But its environmental footprint is a persistent challenge: ultra-low temperature (ULT)
freezers are among the most energy-intensive equipment in
laboratories, consuming as much electricity as an average
household. Also, they often rely on refrigerants with high
global warming potential.
As sustainability becomes a higher priority for research
institutions, improving freezer efficiency is essential. This
article explores practical strategies, best practices, and the
importance of preventive maintenance to help laboratories
optimize cold storage management, achieve their sustainability goals, and cut operational costs.
Small steps, big impact: Why
you should never skip preventive
maintenance
Preventive maintenance is essential to improve freezer efficiency and help extend the lifespan of the freezer. It can also
be a key factor that helps to meet the manufacturer’s warranty. However, it is often overlooked. To avoid irreparable
damages, additional costs, and the loss of precious research
samples, laboratories should follow proper freezer maintenance procedures. These activities are typically performed
annually, semi-annually, or quarterly. Regular servicing and
routine inspections help to detect potential issues before
they escalate.
One of the most effective approaches to maintaining cold
storage efficiency is defrosting. Depending on the freezer
conditions, usage frequency, and internal regulations, this
should be done at least once a year. Ice buildup makes the
compressor work harder to maintain temperature stability,
resulting in increased energy consumption. It can also cause
damage to the inner doors or stop them from fully closing.
Another good practice is to scrape frost and ice off doors and
the inner chamber regularly. Freezer door gaskets should
be brushed and wiped down with a soft cloth to be kept free
of ice. It is important to use appropriate ice scrapers and
28 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
brushes to avoid damage. Moreover, door gaskets need to be
checked for cracks and tears to prevent cold air leaks.
Similarly, cleaning air filters and condenser coils improves
airflow and cooling efficiency. To reduce the risk of overheating, dust and dirt buildup should be removed with a vacuum.
Areas with lower air quality require more frequent cleaning
and filter changing to prevent clogging and inefficiency.
Routine temperature monitoring is essential for detecting
irregularities early and helps maintain a stable and safe
environment for stored samples. Creating a maintenance log
and schedule is an effective way to keep equipment running
smoothly and prevent costly breakdowns. It’s also helpful to
invest in a remote monitoring solution that can alert you of
issues even when no one is present at the lab by sending a
text message, email, or other notification. Even if your freezer doesn’t offer remote monitoring by default, it may support
third-party sensors that offer the same functionality.
Freezer organization: The key to
efficiency and sustainability
Proper freezer organization is essential for maintaining efficiency and sample integrity, reducing energy consumption,
and extending equipment lifespan. One of the best practices
is using storage racks and boxes to maximize space while
keeping samples easily accessible.
A standardized labeling system will further enhance organization and prevent sample misidentification and loss. For
proper cataloging, each sample should have the necessary
details such as the name, date, owner, and project. Using
fridge-safe labels and pens ensures that information remains
intact over time and won’t fade or smudge.
A solid inventory management system is crucial for maintaining a well-organized, efficient, and sustainable lab.
The key to success lies in consistency, regular updates, and
teamwork. Without a structured approach and engagement
of all the group members, samples and reagents can become
misplaced, lost, or forgotten. This can lead to unnecessary
purchasing, wasted resources, and inefficient use of space.
Conducting periodic audits and removing outdated or
unneeded probes helps improve organization. Furthermore,
posting a storage plan on the freezer door provides an easy
reference and allows users to quickly locate samples, reducing door opening time, minimizing temperature fluctuations,
and optimizing energy use.
Take action today and improve your
cold storage
Sustainability in cold storage requires a proactive approach
that combines preventive maintenance, smart organization,
energy-efficient practices, and teamwork. Regular cleaning,
defrosting, and updated inventory management systems
are essential for improving cold storage efficiency without
compromising the integrity of samples. By adopting best
practices, laboratories can reduce their carbon footprint,
optimize storage use, and lower energy consumption and
costs. This strategy not only supports research operations
and productivity but also fosters a more sustainable and safe
working environment.
The power of daily habits for
greener cold storage
Alongside proactive maintenance and strategic
inventory management, there are several other steps
labs can take to boost their ULT freezer efficiency:
• Place the most frequently used samples at the
front of the freezer to minimize the amount of time
the door is open
• Regularly audit and remove unused or
expired samples
• Fill empty space with boxes to maintain airflow,
ensuring temperature stability and curbing
frost buildup
• Share freezer space with other teams
• Immediately report any irregularities in
performance, such as temperature fluctuations, or
appearance, like cracks in the door gasket
29 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide Product Spotlight
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technology. Our PURELAB® range delivers consistently reliable Type I water, meeting the most
demanding research requirements. Through our patented PureSure® technology, incorporating
precision deionization, advanced reverse osmosis, and intelligent UV treatment, we achieve
exceptional water purity standards. Each system guarantees 18.2 MΩ·cm resistivity at 25°C and
TOC levels below five ppb, surpassing ASTM, ISO, and CLSI standards. The intuitive interface
provides real-time monitoring of critical parameters, while our unique sanitization protocols ensure
sustained microbial control. Backed by ELGA’s 80+ years of water purification expertise and
comprehensive service support, our systems are trusted by leading research institutions worldwide.
Whether for HPLC, mass spectrometry, or cell culture, ELGA’s ultrapure water solutions deliver the
reliability and precision your laboratory demands.
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30 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Simple Steps for More Sustainable
Lab Water Purification
Regularly maintaining purifiers is essential to sustainable water purification
By Tess Van Ee
Achieving the ultrapure water that lab applications require
takes energy and resources. As environmental concerns rise
worldwide, optimizing the sustainability of purified water
use in labs is an increasing priority. Here are some simple
steps for stewarding purified water in any lab:
Make the most of each water grade
Different lab applications require different grades, or types,
of purified water. Type I or ultrapure water goes through
multiple resource-intensive processes in preparation for lab
use. For example, it takes three gallons of water to make just
one gallon of deionized water, which is only a single step in
the purification process.1
Choosing the lowest, least processed water type needed for
each task will make the lab more sustainable and cost-effective. Ultrapure water is necessary for most lab applications,
such as mass spectrometry, chromatography, and proteomics.
Type II or purified water works well for prepping buffers and
media. Type III water—typically achieved through reverse
osmosis—can feed water to a Type I system, and Type IV
or filtered water works well for rinsing glassware and use in
autoclave machines.2
31 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Opting to use lower grades of water for basic lab operations
is not only a greener choice, but also more practical, as ultrapure water can corrode equipment and labware.
Stewarding equipment and potable
water
Regularly maintaining lab water purification systems is
more sustainable than buying new ones whenever issues
arise. This is because the upstream activities of creating new
equipment—from mining resources to manufacturing and
shipping parts—produce greenhouse gases.3
Regular maintenance also helps ensure equipment operates at its best and does not leak or waste energy. Installing
low-flow aerators on faucets and regularly checking pipes for
leaks helps reduce a lab’s overall water use.
Buying with a (greener) future in mind
When the time comes to buy a new water purification
system, selecting one that uses minimal energy and doesn’t
exceed purity requirements helps a lab align with its
sustainability goals. Energy-efficient systems will cost less
in utilities over time, in addition to being better for the
environment.4
Although buying a system that exceeds a lab’s daily water use
ensures enough purified water is always available, purifying
more water than is necessary is not good for budgets or the
planet. Considering a system that works with long-life cartridges, or buying long-life cartridges for an existing system,
is also a sustainable choice. Using fewer cartridges means less
will ultimately be buried in landfills. Requesting electronic
manuals instead of paper with a new system is another simple step toward a greener lab.
Strong chemicals, necessary for some types of water purification, can impact the environment if handled and disposed
of incorrectly. Verify that new systems follow regulatory
agencies’ rules, such as the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and the European Union’s Restriction
of Hazardous Substances Directive, regarding the usage,
storage, and disposal of strong chemicals.
Lab water purification is essential, but it doesn’t have to be
unsustainable. Carefully planning the use of water grades,
maintaining purification equipment, and buying with sustainability in mind can make lab water purification practices
more environmentally friendly.
References
1. “Water.” https://www.mygreenlab.org/water.html
2. “Laboratory Water: Its Importance and Applications.”
https://orf.od.nih.gov/TechnicalResources/Documents/
DTR%20White%20Papers/Laboratory%20Water-Its%20
Importance%20and%20Application-March-2013_508.pdf
3. “Top 9 Actions to Take in the Lab to Improve Water Efficiency.” https://www.mygreenlab.org/blog-beaker/top-9-
actions-to-take-in-the-lab-to-improve-water-efficiency
4. “Water Efficiency Guide for Laboratories.” https://www.
nrel.gov/docs/fy05osti/36743.pdf
Assess water usage
Conduct a water audit to determine current consumption levels across all water-using equipment, systems, and processes
Check if known water purchases align with actual usage:
If balanced, look for opportunities to improve efficiency within each major usage category
If imbalanced, look for the source (e.g., leaks and misuses)
Optimize water purification systems
System design
Avoid oversizing treatment systems and consider point-ofuse systems where highly purified water use is minimal
Invest in energy-efficient systems with high recovery rates
Select reverse osmosis or membrane-based treatment
systems with higher recovery ratings
Use mercury-free water purification systems
Install an automatic shut-off feature to ensure systems are
turned off when not in use
Operation and maintenance
Use water at the minimum required quality and use
treated water only when necessary
Reuse reject water when possible
Operate equipment at the minimum acceptable flow rates
Backwash filters based on pressure drop and regenerate
carbon, ion, and resin beds when necessary, rather than
on a set schedule
Training and monitoring
Provide training for lab personnel on the proper use of
sustainable technologies and water-reduction methods
Implement a system for reporting leaks, ensuring there
is a designated point of contact, such as facility or
maintenance staff
Maintain and regularly review records of water
consumption to establish use trends and identify potential
leaks or other inefficiencies
Sustainable Lab Water
Purification Checklist
Labs can greatly reduce their water consumption and enhance sustainability through responsible practices. This checklist outlines key
steps to assess water usage, optimize purification systems, and promote water conservation.
References
1. “Best Practices Guide: Water Efficiency in Laboratories.” https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-06/
ws-I2SL-Laboratory-Water-Efficiency-Guide.pdf
2. “Water Efficiency Guide for Laboratories.” https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy05osti/36743.pdf
33 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
Hidden Costs: Energy Use
and Plastic Waste in Labs
To become greener, today’s labs must address energy consumption and waste
production
By Holden Galusha
Sustainability continues to be a dominant topic in today’s
media and news cycle. In recent years, some companies, like
the software giants of Silicon Valley, have made major strides
toward becoming more environmentally conscious. Similarly, leading life science and biopharmaceutical companies are
setting ambitious goals to reduce emissions and rely on clean
energy. However, laboratories still contend with challenges
on the road to sustainable research: energy usage and plastic
waste generation.
Energy consumption
Energy consumption is one of the biggest sustainability
hurdles researchers face today. All the equipment, instrumentation, and computers that labs depend on demand a lot
of power. In fact, it is estimated that the typical lab consumes
three to six times more energy per unit surface area than a
typical office building.
34 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
The power consumption from the equipment is only a sliver
of the whole picture. According to a 2017 study published
by The Clinical Biochemist Reviews, between 50 and 80
percent of a lab’s total energy consumption is due to the ventilation systems. Of course, there’s no easy solution to these
problems. Scaling back usage isn’t an option as instrumentation must be used at full potential to keep up with research
needs. Similarly, the ventilation systems must stay running
at capacity to maintain the strict environmental parameters
that many labs have in place. However, there are ways to
improve the efficiency of lab ventilation systems.
Despite the challenges, substantial progress has been made in
optimizing laboratories for clean energy. Leading biotech and
pharmaceutical companies are aiming to significantly decrease
their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the next few
decades. By achieving these goals, these organizations will be
on the path to achieving net zero within the next few decades.
In addition to these efforts, sustainability progress is also
marked by the growth of environmental awareness in the scientific community. A 2020 article published in Nature states,
“Scientists are increasingly aware of the disproportionate
environmental footprint of their research . . . many facilities
are stepping up, implementing better waste-management
practices, and seeking out greener energy sources.” While
energy-heavy equipment like ultra-low temperature freezers
will always remain necessary in some labs, there is still the
opportunity to optimize for sustainability, even as early as
initial design.
Plastic waste generation
Alongside energy consumption, waste generation is the other
environmental hurdle labs are facing today. According to a
2015 Nature study, laboratories across the world generated 5.5
million tons of plastic waste the previous year—the equivalent of 67 cruise liners.
The waste problem extends beyond consumables. Lots of
lab equipment cannot be recycled. Centrifuges, for example,
aren’t recyclable because the body panels are made from
injection-molded foam rather than recyclable plastic or
metal. Consequently, an instrument like this can only go to a
landfill when it reaches end of life.
Despite the alarming statistics, progress is being made in
addressing the plastic waste problem. Just as scientists are
becoming more proactive in addressing energy consumption, they are also developing ways to address lab waste. For
instance, in 2020, a research group from a microbiology laboratory published a paper detailing the results of their own
efforts to curb waste. Their efforts included autoclaving and
reusing consumables that would ordinarily be disposed of,
like plastic tubes, and replacing single-use consumables with
reusable tools where possible. After tracking the results of
the new practices for seven weeks, the researchers found that
their efforts had decreased their lab’s rate of waste generation
considerably, saving 43 kg of waste in the four-week trial
period. This equates to 516 kg of waste saved per year.
Similarly, the 2015 Nature article referenced above urged
researchers to take measures against plastic pollution. It also
outlined potential ways funding agencies could incentivize
eco-friendly processes, such as funding recycling facilities
and mandating greener processes as a requirement in the
grant application process.
What does the future look like for lab
sustainability?
Environmental awareness is growing in the scientific community. Both large corporations and small research labs are
taking steps to implement greener processes.
Perhaps just as important, this awareness is also spreading
among the general population, especially among younger generations. According to a 2021 report from the Pew
Research Center, Generation Z and Millennials are “more
active than older generations addressing climate change
on- and offline.” Ideally, as these youth grow older, enter the
workforce, and start leading labs themselves, they’ll prioritize sustainability, and labs may finally shake the reputation
of being “energy hogs.”
“According to a 2015 Nature study,
laboratories across the world
generated 5.5 million tons of plastic
waste the previous year—the
equivalent of 67 cruise liners.”
35 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide Product Spotlight
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36 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
‘Greener’ Options and
Approaches to Lab Waste
Management
With environmental concerns top of mind, new approaches and initiatives are
helping laboratories manage waste more efficiently
By Aimee Cichocki
The nature of their work means that many laboratories
produce vast amounts of waste. In particular, the increased
use of single-use plastics, including personal protective
equipment (PPE) in laboratory applications, has contributed
to a significant waste management problem. According to
Namrata Jain, marketing consultant at My Green Lab, “It
is estimated that every year the plastic waste alone from
labs could cover an area 23 times the size of Manhattan,
ankle-deep.”
There is often a compromise between making processes safer
and more efficient and creating less waste. This does not go
unnoticed, and thankfully, many organizations are striving
to improve the situation.
37 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide
New takes on traditional green
approaches to waste management
Reduce, reuse, and recycle are commonly touted as the most
logical solutions to waste management. Indeed, these continue to be prominent in modern options, but there are newer
approaches to these solutions.
When it comes to reducing waste production, My Green
Lab encourages managers to actively seek collaborative
alternatives instead of accepting the status quo. One option
is to work with suppliers to find alternatives to products that
create excess waste. Another is to consult with personnel
to determine if single-use items are necessary or could be
replaced with reusable alternatives.
Employing solutions that reduce packaging and shipping,
for example, consolidated ordering between departments,
can also save a lot of waste. Better inventory management
practices can lower refuse levels (as fewer out-of-date items
are discarded) and offer cost savings.
Collaborative initiatives can also be applied to the reuse
channel of waste management. Strategies to boost reuse
include reusing packaging internally or donating supplies to
local organizations, such as schools or colleges.
Recycling programs help in the fight
against waste
Recycling is a hot topic when it comes to lab waste. Part of
the issue is often a lack of awareness of proper recycling
methods and the options available. For example, many lab
personnel don’t realize that it’s possible to recycle nitrile
gloves, solvents, and many consumables. Until fairly recently,
another issue was that even though certain items could be
recycled, many waste facilities would not accept them. Some
companies now offer take-back programs to ensure that
packaging is reused or recycled.
38 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide In partnership with
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39 Lab Manager Sustainability Resource Guide In partnership with
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