Laboratories do vital work, but that work often costs a lot in materials, energy, and other important resources. With the large amounts of waste and sky-high energy bills, medical and scientific labs take their toll on the environment. How can they be better? Like any business or facility, there are a few steps labs can take to reduce their carbon footprints and create a better impact on the natural world. Here are three ways to make your laboratory more eco-friendly.
Turn Off Utilities
Turn the lights off when you leave a room. It’s a simple, possibly repetitive rule, but there’s a reason why it’s so common. Shutting down unnecessary equipment at the end of the day can save a lot of electricity. Install timers in your lab that will shut off lights and unused equipment like incubators or ovens. Make sure all taps and sinks are off at the end of the day as well. By making these simple measures a habit, you reduce the wasted resources in your lab and even save money on utility bills.
Make Smart Equipment Purchases
Environmental responsibility should be a part of every decision you make for your lab, including your purchases. Opt for energy-efficient equipment where you can. It might be more of an investment at first, but these options will continue to help with energy costs as long as you have them. In addition to energy-efficiency, you also want to stock your medical lab essentials with reliable, long-lasting equipment. Dependable equipment means you won’t have to throw out and replace it as often, reducing your lab’s waste and letting you focus on the innovations you need to create a greener facility.
Reduce Laboratory Waste
Speaking of reducing your lab’s waste, this is another one of the best ways to make your laboratory more eco-friendly. Scientific and medical labs require a lot of different materials to do their work, which means you need to balance that by recycling and eliminating as many wasted resources as possible. Look into repairs or recycling programs for broken equipment before simply throwing it away. Try to avoid individually wrapped items where you can to reduce the amount of packaging materials you throw out. Only run dishwashers when they’re full to preserve water. Examine your laboratory with your staff to pinpoint these and other habits that can reduce your waste and help reduce your facility’s carbon footprint.
