Sustainability
in the Lab Equipment
Lifecycle
Understanding the financial and environmental costs
The life cycle of laboratory equipment encompasses several stages:
generation, usage, and disposal. Each phase presents unique challenges and
opportunities for minimizing financial and environmental impact. Here we take
a closer look to understand the true cost of lab equipment and explore ways to
enhance sustainability.
Materials sourcing and manufacturing
The materials used to manufacture lab equipment vary depending on the
type and function of the equipment, as well as the desired properties such as
chemical resistance or sterility. Each material has associated financial and
environmental costs, such as the cost of mining/extracting raw materials, and
costs associated with production (e.g., energy consumption).
More sustainable materials: More sustainable manufacturing:
• Glass (100 percent recyclable) • Opt for renewable energy
sources to reduce greenhouse gas
• Bioplastics (reduce carbon footprint emissions
versus petroleum-based plastics)
• Implement waste reduction
• Stainless steel (100 percent practices and closed-loop
recyclable) manufacturing systems where
materials are reused, repaired, and
recycled rather than discarded
Usage
In addition to the initial capital investment, there are financial and environmental
costs associated with using lab equipment. Many instruments including incubators,
refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, and microscopes consume large amounts of
energy during operation. Other instruments use large amounts of water, such as
dishwashers, cooling systems, autoclaves, and more.
Reduce financial costs: Reduce environmental costs:
• Opt for modular equipment designs • Opt for efficient designs with energy
that allow for individual components star® ratings as well as features like
to be replaced dimming functions, sleep mode, or
standby mode to reduce energy
• Purchase higher-quality instruments consumption
to reduce the frequency of
replacement • Water-saving technologies such
as closed-loop systems, automatic
shutoff, and water recycling systems
can minimize water consumption
Maintenance
Lab instrument and equipment maintenance has several associated costs. In-house
maintenance costs staff time, and outsourced maintenance has associated labor
and service fees. Environmental costs include replacement parts such as O-rings,
gaskets, filters, and tubing as well as consumables such as cleaning agents and
lubricants. However, regular maintenance can extend the life of instruments and
equipment, conserve resources, and reduce the frequency of replacement.
Reduce maintenance costs:
• Implement standard operating • Train staff on basic maintenance
procedures (SOPs) to prevent
improper use • Invest in high-quality, reparable
instruments from reputable
• Perform preventative maintenance manufacturers
(with documentation) to identify
minor issues before they become
major problems
Disposal
When an instrument has reached end-of-life and is no longer of use to the lab, it is
destined for disposal. In addition to the financial cost of replacing the instrument,
the environmental costs of disposal must also be considered.
Sustainable end-of-life management:
• Look for recycling programs to help • Follow regulations and best
reclaim valuable materials and practices to safely dispose
reduce landfill waste of hazardous materials (e.g.,
chemicals, electronic waste) to
• Consider donation or refurbishment
prevent environmental contamination
to extend the instrument’s useful life
and benefit other labs
Lifecycle assessment
Conducting a lifecycle assessment can help identify opportunities for
improvement in reducing the environmental impact at all stages of the lab
instrument lifecycle. Whenever possible, opt for equipment with a longer lifespan
that requires fewer resources and less energy to operate and is designed for
end-of-life recycling.
