Lead the green lab movement: Practical strategies to reduce waste, cut energy use, and build a sustainable research culture.

In the competitive world of academic and scientific research, sustainability often takes a back seat. Laboratories are among the most resource-intensive environments on university campuses, consuming large amounts of energy and generating considerable waste, which leads principal investigators (PIs) to wonder, “Is a green lab even possible?”

Common challenges echo through research communities: “I’m barely able to keep up with research demands, let alone monitor energy use,” or “Sustainable practices sound great, but they’re probably time-consuming and costly.” It’s true that the path to sustainability may feel daunting, especially when it seems to add more to an already overflowing plate. But with increasing scrutiny on lab operations, including from funding bodies and academic institutions, integrating sustainable practices isn’t just idealistic; it’s quickly becoming essential.

Ironically, labs with abundant resources may sometimes fall into wasteful habits, using materials and equipment with little thought to long-term efficiency or environmental impact. Thus, labs today have a powerful opportunity and responsibility to lead by example in sustainability, no matter their budget. Implementing sustainable practices not only reduces your lab’s carbon footprint but can also improve energy efficiency, save costs, and foster a positive team culture around green initiatives.1-3 Below, we outline strategies to transform your lab into a model of sustainable practice, driving impactful change and instilling a culture of environmental responsibility.

Audit & Assess: Know Your Lab’s Baseline

A successful transition to sustainability starts with data. The first step in transforming a lab into an eco-friendly environment is to understand its current impact. Thus, before implementing green initiatives, begin with a clear assessment of your lab’s environmental footprint, measuring energy consumption, water usage, waste production, and chemical use. This provides the foundation for targeted change. Many universities offer sustainability departments that can assist with these audits, or you can utilize third-party resources such as My Green Lab or LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework), which offer structured frameworks and certification programs.4

To make this process manageable, focus initially on your lab’s biggest energy consumers, such as ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, autoclaves, and fume hoods. Document usage patterns and look for signs of energy waste, such as equipment running overnight or unused lights left on. Conducting waste audits also offers valuable insights into single-use materials, helping identify which items could be recycled or replaced with reusable alternatives. By involving team members in this assessment, you can foster greater awareness and collective accountability, making the entire lab part of the solution.

Rethink Equipment Usage

Laboratory equipment is notorious for its energy consumption, with fume hoods, ULT freezers, and centrifuges ranking among the most energy-intensive.5 Optimizing equipment usage, however, not only saves on energy but also extends the lifespan of expensive tools, reducing long-term replacement costs. Implementing simple but impactful changes in equipment protocols can make an immediate difference.

For instance, frost and dust buildup in ULT freezers significantly hinder heat exchange and can shorten appliance lifespans. Regularly defrosting freezers and cleaning the coils to prevent dust accumulation are easy maintenance steps that help keep appliances running efficiently. Another important step is fume hood management. Fume hoods consume significant energy, especially when left open, as they continuously draw conditioned air from the lab. Establishing a “Shut the Sash” policy is a powerful way to reduce this energy demand, and some labs find success by installing automatic sash closers.

Powering down lab equipment after hours can be another simple, cost-effective approach. Encourage team members to switch off non-essential machines before they leave, or better yet, use timers and smart plugs to automate this process. A “Last Out, Power Down” checklist, posted at the lab exit, can reinforce this habit, creating a shared sense of responsibility among lab members.

Sustainable Purchasing and Waste Reduction: Going Beyond Recycling

Purchasing decisions play a pivotal role in lab sustainability. Prioritizing durable, reusable items and choosing environmentally conscious suppliers not only reduces waste but also aligns the lab’s purchasing habits with its environmental goals. While it might not be feasible to replace all single-use items immediately, starting with incremental changes can build momentum and inspire a lab-wide shift toward sustainable materials.

One effective change is investing in reusable alternatives to disposable plastics. For instance, consider washable pipette tip boxes or glass petri dishes, which can be cleaned and reused.6 Many suppliers now offer eco-friendly lab supplies, and forming partnerships with these vendors can be a practical way to secure greener items at a reduced cost, especially if buying in bulk. Additionally, consolidating orders minimizes carbon emissions from frequent deliveries and reduces the packaging waste that comes with smaller shipments.

In addition to choosing sustainable products, labs can participate in refill programs or closed-loop recycling initiatives, where suppliers take back used items for cleaning, refilling, or recycling. Several chemical suppliers, for example, now offer refillable containers, where labs can return empty bottles in exchange for discounts or credit on future purchases. This approach reduces plastic waste and the demand for new containers, contributing to a circular economy.

Minimize Chemical Use and Waste with Safer Protocols

Chemicals are essential in most labs, but their environmental impact can be significant. Between the costs of disposal and the risks of contamination, implementing green chemistry practices not only lessens environmental harm but also enhances safety and cost savings. Many traditional solvents and reagents have highly toxic or carcinogenic properties, but for some experiments, safer alternatives exist.

For instance, switching to aqueous solutions instead of organic solvents can mitigate harmful emissions. PIs can also encourage team members to scale down experiments wherever possible. By using smaller quantities of chemicals, labs minimize the amount of hazardous waste that requires disposal and lessen the risk of contamination. When carefully planned, scaled-down experiments can yield high-quality results without compromising on data integrity, making it a practical approach for labs of all sizes.

Proper waste segregation is another important aspect. Training lab members on correct disposal methods helps avoid contamination of recyclable items and ensures hazardous waste is managed safely. Several universities have recycling programs for solvents and other hazardous waste products, so it’s worth checking if your institution offers similar support.

Cultivate a Green Lab Culture: Empower your team

Creating a sustainable lab isn’t just about policies or protocols. It’s about cultivating a culture where everyone feels invested in the lab’s sustainability goals. A team committed to eco-friendly practices is more likely to see lasting success in their initiatives, as members will hold each other accountable and contribute actively to new ideas.

To foster this culture, consider establishing a small “Green Committee” composed of rotating lab members. This group can introduce new practices, track progress, and motivate others through mini-campaigns or challenges. Publicly celebrating sustainable achievements, such as achieving a recycling milestone or reducing energy use, can also keep motivation high.

Encouraging team members to stay updated on sustainability progress, whether through regular meetings or visual displays in the lab, can create a shared sense of purpose. Building a green culture doesn’t happen overnight, but by making sustainability a core lab value, PIs can help make eco-friendly practices feel both natural and necessary.

Embrace Digital Transformation

While digital tools have made labs more efficient in many ways, full digitization remains an area of untapped potential for reducing waste. By adopting digital notebooks, cloud storage, and virtual communication platforms, labs can reduce both paper and plastic use, while improving data security and accessibility.

Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) are a straightforward way to cut down on paper waste.7 By switching from traditional notebooks to ELNs, lab members can record, store, and share data digitally, making it easier to manage and search records. Similarly, using cloud-based storage for data storage and management eliminates the need for physical storage and reduces the environmental impact associated with producing and disposing of paper. Cloud solutions not only save physical space but also allow lab members to securely access data from anywhere, fostering collaboration and data security.

With many conferences and meetings now offering hybrid formats, labs can also reduce their environmental impact by prioritizing virtual attendance over travel. This approach not only minimizes carbon emissions but also saves time and resources.

Engage with University-Wide Sustainability Programs

Many universities and institutions have launched initiatives to improve sustainability on campus, often providing dedicated support for labs aiming to reduce their environmental footprint. Engaging with these programs not only grants your lab access to valuable resources and funding but also aligns your efforts with broader institutional goals, creating a cohesive, community-focused approach to sustainability.

Some universities offer grants to help labs invest in energy-efficient equipment or fund facility upgrades that improve sustainability. In addition, many institutions have established Green Lab Certifications that recognize labs committed to environmental practices. Programs like My Green Lab certification help PIs validate their lab’s progress and gain formal recognition for their efforts, which can be a valuable asset when recruiting students or applying for grants.

Finally, consider using shared core facilities instead of purchasing new equipment that will be infrequently used. Shared spaces allow multiple labs to benefit from specialized equipment without creating redundant resource use, helping labs become part of a larger ecosystem of sustainability.

Conclusion

Leading your lab towards sustainability is becoming essential. A lab committed to sustainability not only sets a positive example for the broader research community but also fosters a workplace culture grounded in accountability and teamwork. As you make small, sustainable shifts, remember: each change reinforces a long-lasting impact, benefiting your team, the scientific community, and the planet.

Creating a sustainable lab isn’t just a one-time change; it’s a continuous commitment. By focusing on practical steps, such as optimizing equipment usage, reducing chemical waste, fostering a green culture, and digitizing processes, PIs can lead impactful transformations that benefit both the lab and the environment.

By championing these initiatives, you’re not only contributing to the global push for sustainability but also cultivating a culture of responsibility, resourcefulness, and pride among your team members. With time, these shifts can become the foundation for long-lasting environmental impact and inspire other labs to follow suit.

References

  1. Ligozat, A., Névéol, A., Daly, B., & Frenoux, E. (2020). Ten simple rules to make your research more sustainable. PLOS Computational biology, 16(9), e1008148.
  2. Freese, T., Elzinga, N., Heinemann, M., Lerch, M. M., & Feringa, B. L. (2024). The relevance of sustainable laboratory practices. RSC Sustainability, 2(5), 13-1336.
  3. Durgan, J., Rodríguez-Martínez, M., & Rouse, B. (2023). Green labs: A guide to developing sustainable science in your organization. Immunology and Cell Biology, 101(4), 289-301.
  4. Schell, B. R., & Bruns, N. (2024). Lab sustainability programs LEAF and my green lab: Impact, user experience & suitability. RSC Sustainability.
  5. May, M. (2016). Adding efficiency to general lab equipment. Science, 352(6285), 614-616
  6. Henderson, T. (2024). Eco-friendly lab materials: Sustainable solutions for greener laboratories. LabDesignNews. Retrieved from: https://www.labdesignnews.com/content/eco-friendly-lab-materials-sustainable-solutions-for-greener-laboratories
  7. Kwok, R. (2018). How to pick an electronic laboratory notebook. Nature (London), 560(7717), 269-270.