How labs can lead the way in sustainability
Laboratories are where critical scientific advances take place, but they can also have a significant impact on the environment. Factors such as energy consumption, the use of hazardous chemicals, and the generation of plastic waste contribute to this impact.
Through focused strategies and industry collaboration, labs can significantly reduce waste, energy usage, and emissions, aligning their research efforts with global sustainability goals.
Sustainable innovations in lab equipment
In labs, water consumption and single-use plastics like pipette tips can contribute to environmental impact. Lab equipment can also be a significant driver, so it’s important to select equipment designed with sustainability in mind – without compromising quality.
For example, in biological research, cells and samples must be kept under specific secure conditions and at a controlled temperature. Keeping these certain conditions can mean that lab equipment, like refrigerators, freezers, and centrifuges, can consume large amounts of energy or use certain chemicals as refrigerants that may be harmful to the environment. Now, there are options for labs that use chemicals with lower Global Warming Potential, which measures the global warming impacts of different gases. These chemicals are less hazardous than previous chemicals used in lab equipment and can still offer the precision and security needed to protect samples.
Additionally, some laboratories are utilising energy-efficient equipment to enhance sustainability. Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers can consume a significant amount of energy to keep samples secure. More energy-efficient ULT freezers can significantly decrease a lab’s energy consumption compared to older units. ULT freezers and other new cold storage solutions can feature more sustainable refrigerants and advanced insulation to minimise environmental impact for a lab.
Other products, where performance is critical, but often relies on higher energy consumption, such as biological safety cabinets (BSCs), centrifuges, and refrigerated incubators, are also being designed to be more energy-efficient. BSCs require a high-performing motor to maintain a precise balance of airflow, thereby preventing lab technicians’ exposure to harmful materials. Some BSCs now leverage more energy-efficient DC motors and better airflow design to ensure safety and improve sustainability. Some centrifuges feature rotors made of lighter materials, which allow for faster acceleration and deceleration rates and shorter run times, ultimately contributing to reduced energy usage. Newer refrigerated incubators can offer significant energy savings compared to traditional compressor units, and they can also have lower heat outputs, which reduces a lab’s HVAC usage.
For labs that are interested in investing in energy-efficient equipment, they should look for products with certain certifications, like ENERGY STAR and My Green Lab ACT certification, which provide third-party confirmation of a product’s energy consumption and environmental impact.
Working with suppliers on sustainability
One way labs can strive to be more sustainable is by looking for suppliers with sustainability goals that align with their own. Suppliers that are transparent about their environmental impact and sustainability initiatives can increase confidence in the decisions of lab managers. Some of the ways labs have been increasing their sustainability efforts through suppliers is by sourcing products and materials locally to minimise transportation distances, which can reduce carbon emissions and improve logistics.
Other ways suppliers have been building more sustainable products beyond design innovations include shifting manufacturing sites to produce fewer emissions and waste, extending warranties to lengthen the product's lifetime, and offering programmes for end-of-life disposal to refurbish or recycle materials.
More sustainable packaging, such as recyclable and biodegradable materials, has also started to replace traditional plastics, producing less waste. There is also a rise in suppliers shipping products in reusable packaging. Clear supplier guidance on recycling also helps labs responsibly handle packaging materials, further reducing waste. Strategic logistics optimisation, including consolidated shipping and regional distribution, helps labs reduce transportation-related emissions and enhance efficiency.
Building for the future
To build a more sustainable future, labs should look at more than current sustainability regulations. Governments and regulatory bodies around the world are constantly developing and refining policies and frameworks aimed at reducing the environmental impact of certain products and chemicals. For example, both the US Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union have introduced guidelines to reduce the emission of fluorinated greenhouse gases, which can have a harmful impact on the environment. Some pieces of lab equipment have historically used fluorinated gases as refrigerants. Although these new regulations have yet to be fully implemented, some suppliers are already working to eliminate fluorinated gases as refrigerants to help labs prepare for the new regulations.
Labs should look for products that deliver in both quality and sustainability, including products that go beyond meeting current guidelines. These products can help labs plan for evolving regulations without needing to update or replace solutions to fit new regulations. Collaboration between labs and suppliers can help ensure sustainability goals in the near and long term are met.
Sustainable laboratories require an integrated approach, including renewable energy, innovative recycling, zero-waste practices, optimised supply chains, and education. Efforts underway for more sustainable labs should become an integral part of daily lab operations globally. Ongoing innovation and industry collaboration will enable labs to reduce their environmental impact significantly, ultimately creating a more sustainable future for all.
About the author
Noreen Hong is a vice president and general manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, overseeing the Growth, Protection and Separation business. With more than two decades of experience in global operations, commercial leadership, and strategic growth, she has a proven record of driving innovation, operational excellence, and customer value across the life sciences industry. Hong’s leadership is grounded in a strong technical foundation, supported by an MBA in marketing from Bentley University and a Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University.
