Sustainability in the laboratory – benefits & first steps

Laboratories make a vital contribution to science and progress – but their operations consume considerable volumes of energy, water and other resources. So it’s clear that there is huge potential for greater sustainability in laboratories. Not just in terms of protecting the environment, but also to be well equipped to meet economic challenges. But where to start? 

In this article, you’ll learn the benefits of a sustainable laboratory, what it focuses on, and what your first steps should be in your laboratory portfolio.

What is a sustainable laboratory?

A sustainable laboratory minimises its consumption of resources (e.g., energy and water), thus reducing its ecological footprint while remaining an efficient operation. It takes into account ecological, economic and social considerations to conduct its research in a responsible and resource-friendly way.

Following the criteria for non-profit organisations, My Green Lab® categorises laboratory sustainability into 14 focus areas:

1. Community: working together
2. Waste Reduction: Minimising waste volumes
3. Resource Management: well-planned material management
4. Purchasing: sustainable purchasing processes
5. Green Chemistry: using more eco-friendly chemicals
6. Water: Reducing water consumption
7. Plug Load: Minimising the energy consumption of laboratory devices
8. Fume Hoods: Reducing the energy consumption of laboratory fume hoods
9. Cold Storage: Reducing the energy consumption of refrigerating equipment and rooms
10. Large Equipment: Analysing the largest consumers of the laboratory’s equipment
11. Infrastructure Energy: Optimising ventilation, air conditions, lighting, and so on
12. Travel: more eco-friendly commuting routes and business trips
13. Field Work: Incorporating field research in the strategy
14. Animal Research: efficient, animal-friendly biological research

Summarising these 14 focus areas results in the following topic groups:

• Energy
• Other resources (e.g., equipment, water, chemicals, etc.)
• Waste management
• Ecological footprint & CO₂ balance
• Working together

What are the benefits of sustainability in the laboratory?

Laboratory operations consume considerable resources: For example, laboratory buildings on average consume 10 times more energy and 4 times more water than office buildings. The energy demands of a laboratory fume hood alone or a –80 °C freezer are roughly equivalent to that of an average household. 

When such big numbers are involved, even small improvements can have a very positive impact on the environment. A green laboratory also offers additional benefits that go beyond environmental protection:

• Cost savings: Optimising energy and water consumption can significantly lower operating costs and make the laboratory more cost-effective, thus combating increasing cost pressures and improving competitiveness.
• ESG rating: Sustainable laboratories follow the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN and have a high ESG rating (Environmental, Social, Governance). The latter is beneficial when it comes to attracting investment and also important for large corporations that are required to compile mandatory ESG reports.
• Image and improved working conditions: Companies that actively focus on sustainability improve their public image and stand out from the competition, which in turn helps attract and keep skilled talent. A sustainable laboratory environment also ensures a more pleasant working environment.
• Compliance: “Green” operations are better prepared for future legal requirements and environmental regulations.

The laboratory of the future will not only be smart, but also sustainable. Which is why it is important to identify optimisation potentials as soon as possible and invest in the right areas. But where exactly? 

5 strategies for greater sustainability in the laboratory

As a green lab expert and an official partner of My Green Lab®, Waldner has years of experience helping businesses, universities and other organisations implement their sustainability strategies. 

To ensure you focus on the right areas, we recommend an on-site laboratory check by the Waldner expert team. Once we understand your specific needs, we can determine exactly what measures will be particularly effective. 

To end, we’ll outline some of the typical measures here. Some worthwhile first steps can also be seen in the following videos:

1. Focus on energy efficiency

In our projects, energy efficiency has proven to be the most important sustainability factor in laboratory operations. That's because, as we mentioned at the beginning, laboratories are huge energy consumers. 

This ranges from …

• small devices that are permanently plugged in (the so-called “plug load”, which constitutes around 20–25% of total energy consumption)
• to particularly energy-intensive laboratory fume hoods and freezers
• to large equipment and the overall infrastructure – ventilation, heating, lighting, etc.

Therefore, many sustainability quick wins can be achieved in the area of energy – often without any great effort. To illustrate just how easy energy saving can be, here are a few tips from our GreenBasics program:

• Freezers are often set to colder temperatures than they need to be. Switching the temperature from –80 °C to –70 °C can already save 30 to 40% of the required energy. It also extends the lifetime of refrigerating equipment, while still protecting the sensitive samples.
• Timer clocks and timers also ensure that devices conveniently switch off themselves. Handy aids like the clever “Plug Load Sticker Set” from Waldner also help to correctly label devices so that every laboratory worker understands which devices need to be switched off when.
• The consumption of laboratory fume hoods can also be reduced by consistently closing them after use. Modern extract air system that regulate extracted air volumes also save a lot of energy.
• When it comes to the infrastructure, measures such as the following are helpful: adjust the air exchange rate in the laboratory according to the risk assessment, reduce ventilation, heating and air humidification at night, and switch from old light bulbs to more energy-efficient LED lighting.

2. Preserve other resources (water, chemicals, etc.)

In addition to energy, there are also other valuable resources that are the focus of the sustainable laboratory. These include water, chemicals or the material used to make the laboratory equipment. 

Good resource management helps to reduce material waste and lower costs:

• Regular stocktaking reveals surplus stock and bottlenecks. 
• Expensive equipment and materials can be shared between departments and working groups – ensuring nothing is wasted.
• Regular care and maintenance of the laboratory equipment ensures it lasts for as long as possible.
• Water can often be reused, for example in cooling systems.

More eco-friendly alternatives for chemicals degrade better and present less of a risk to people and the environment.

3. Establish a culture of “reduce, reuse, recycle” in waste management

Mindful use and reuse of materials can significantly lower waste volumes. Short, concise recycling guidelines can be drawn up and posted close to disposal areas. Another benefit of this is that proper disposal also promotes safety in the laboratory.

Other strategies include replacing disposable with multi-use products and configuring experiments correctly so that as little surplus and waste as possible is produced.

4. Improve the CO₂ balance

CO₂ emissions cover many of the 14 focus areas, particularly Purchasing and Travel. For example, choosing eco-friendly products and suppliers reduces your ecological footprint.

Set clear criteria: e.g., biodegradable packaging or use of recycled materials. Place orders together with other departments to save on transport emissions.

Business trips are also in focus, but also the daily commute. Many other industries are already demonstrating how the carbon footprint can be reduced in this regard:

• For one thing, avoid flights and use video calls instead. 
• The most important thing, however, is the daily routine: where possible, ensure car-free commutes are feasible. Alternatives could include cycle loan schemes, employee buses or vouchers for public transport.
• Work from home days – where possible – can also save CO₂. These measures also help improve social sustainability.

5. Work together sustainably

Sustainability in the laboratory arises through a shared commitment. The most important thing is to communicate which measures are being taken and to raise awareness. Appoint officers, train employees accordingly and promote interdisciplinary dialogue.

And this “green culture” must also extend beyond the laboratory and include field research for example. Field work should follow the maxim of Leave No Trace, i.e., ensuring nothing is left behind such as waste or plant cuttings, etc.

Why is it worth becoming a certified sustainable laboratory?

Laboratory sustainability standards and certifications include ISO 14100, EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) and the My Green Lab® certification. These certifications help meet legal requirements and at the same time are public evidence of the laboratory’s greed credentials.

Certification also has other benefits. It …

• … offers a clear, structured framework for implementing sustainability initiatives,
• strengthens the culture of sustainability in the laboratory,
• requires interdisciplinary teamwork, thus improving collaboration
• and promotes the development of new processes, methods and ideas.

Your path to greater sustainability in the laboratory

A certified, sustainable laboratory, then, is also in many ways an investment in the future. Achieving this without professional support, however, requires a lot of time and human resources. If this is not feasible for you, you need a reliable partner who can manage the project for you.

With years of experience collaborating on many projects, Waldner will gladly help you achieve your sustainability targets. By working with us, you’ll be able to implement the first concrete measures in just one working day. You’re free to expand the program at any time. 

If you’d like to take advantage of our laboratory consulting service​​​​​​​, we’d be happy to prepare a laboratory concept that takes these aspects into account. You can rest assured that we’ll make your laboratory fit for the future.