As laboratories increasingly prioritize sustainability, product packaging has emerged as a key area for reducing environmental impact.
Thoughtfully designed packaging that minimizes waste and uses eco-friendly materials, such as recyclable cardboard and compostable cushioning, can align procurement practices with broader sustainability goals and reduce a lab's overall environmental footprint.
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In this Q&A, John Nichols (JN), director of sustainability, and Imari Walker-Franklin (IWF), PhD, research chemist, both with RTI International, explore how manufacturers and labs are rethinking packaging choices to support environmentally responsible lab operations and advance a circular economy. RTI International is a nonprofit research organization that conducts scientific and technical studies to support public well-being. Its mission is to improve the human condition by addressing the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions.
What are the biggest challenges suppliers face in making lab equipment and consumables more sustainable, and how can lab managers help drive change?
IWF: One of the main challenges is creating supplies that are durable and require minimal labor for reuse or repurposing. For recyclable or returnable supplies, clear communication on how to properly dispose of or return these items is crucial. Proper packaging and shipping methods for collected items in the lab are also essential to ensure they reach the correct destination. Strong marketing and educational campaigns can help inform lab managers and ensure this information is passed down to all users.
Imari Walker-Franklin
Additionally, it's vital for lab managers to establish best cleaning practices for reusable items to avoid contamination.
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What key questions should lab managers ask potential vendors to assess their sustainability practices and commitment to reducing environmental impact?
JN: We find it helpful to ask about specific practices such as energy, water, and waste management to prompt meaningful conversations. Sometimes just asking the question shows a vendor that you’re interested and educated, and leads them to discuss new options to meet your needs. It is also worth inquiring about third-party certifications or published product data to verify claims.
Are there any industry-wide initiatives or certifications lab managers should look for when sourcing environmentally friendly equipment and supplies?
JN: Absolutely. There are quite a few product labels to consider, such as Cradle-to-Cradle, GreenSeal, ENERGY STAR, and the ACT label. These certifications cover a number of different attributes like energy, water, waste, and health, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for and take a close look at what each certification includes. Lab managers can also look to industry-wide initiatives like the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories for resources and guidance on industry best practices.
John Nichols
Beyond working with suppliers, what are some practical steps labs can take to reduce packaging waste and improve overall sustainability in their daily operations?
IWF: Ordering in bulk can help reduce packaging waste. When receiving shipments from new vendors, if the packaging materials are not sustainable, you can politely request alternatives. Usually, this means avoiding polystyrene foams and plastics and instead opting for more paper-based materials when possible. We find that vendors are often responsive to such requests. It’s also important to educate lab staff on properly separating hazardous and non-hazardous waste to reduce disposal costs and environmental impact. We recommend reviewing fume hood operations and ventilation settings and upgrading older equipment to newer technologies, such as LED lighting in fume hood cabinets. A properly functioning fume hood ensures energy efficiency and good indoor air quality.
Are there any take-back, recycling, or reuse programs that suppliers offer for lab consumables and equipment, and how can lab managers take advantage of them?
JN: Yes, there is a wide range of waste-to-energy programs and take-back programs offered by manufacturers of different lab consumables. Independent organizations such as TerraCycle also offer take-back programs for multiple materials, regardless of the manufacturer. Networking with your peers to learn about their experiences with these programs can be a helpful starting point. Additionally, some lab plastics can even be recycled in the municipal waste stream, provided they are properly rinsed and confirmed with your local recycler. This is one of the ways that RTI recycles our 250 mL sample bottles without having to utilize a take-back program.
John Nichols serves as director of sustainability for RTI International. His work focuses on reducing the environmental impact of RTI’s real estate portfolio and global operations through novel sustainability initiatives that save energy, conserve water, reduce waste, and limit greenhouse gas emissions. John leads RTI’s corporate sustainability program, where he leads project teams on designing and executing new sustainability initiatives from concept to execution, including budgeting, planning, implementation, and monitoring.
Imari Walker-Franklin, PhD, is a research chemist with RTI’s Discovery Science Division. As an environmental engineer, she contributes to the development of suspect screening, non-targeted chemical analysis, and other research interests of the Analytical Sciences group, including understanding the effects of PFAS chemicals. Walker-Franklin is a subject matter expert with practical experience in operating and maintaining liquid chromatography with tandem/high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry systems.
