Whilst laboratories serve as essential centres for scientific progress, they also produce significant waste and consume alarming amounts of energy. In the ongoing pursuit of balancing progress with sustainability, individuals and organisations worldwide have been taking active steps towards fostering a culture of sustainability.

Whether well underway in their sustainability journey or just taking the first steps, not every organisation is at the same stage; yet no matter where you find yourself, SLS is here to guide you through this process.

To help you achieve a more sustainable laboratory, we have identified three of the biggest energy drainers in your lab, along with some steps that will ensure you achieve greater lab efficiency.

1. Fume Cupboards:

Fume cupboards, although indispensable in ensuring a safe working environment, have been identified as one of the biggest energy consumers in laboratories. In fact, they have been found to consume energy equivalent to 3.5 the average UK household!

Steps Towards Lab Efficiency:

While fume cupboards are crucial for reducing exposure to hazardous materials, a simple step can ensure you keep the energy consumption to a minimum. For example, adopting the practice of closing the sash when the fume cupboard is not in use might seem like a minor adjustment, but it can yield up to a 40% reduction in both energy consumption and emissions. By incorporating this practice into routine operations, laboratories can make significant strides towards sustainability and substantially decrease energy consumption.

2. Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) freezers

ULT freezers are a staple in life-science research, with significant implications on sustainability. They are big energy consumers, often rivalling entire household energy consumption, especially in the case of older models. These freezers typically operate at -80°C and their daily consumption reaches an incredible 16 to 22 KWh.

Steps Towards Lab Efficiency:

To address this, a key sustainability step involves implementing routine maintenance practices. Regularly defrosting the freezer, for instance, can bring upon a notable 10% improvement in energy efficiency. Additionally, establishing a clear labelling system and periodically clearing out samples not only helps maintain a well-organised inventory but also contributes to overall energy conservation efforts.

3. Autoclaves

Autoclaves play a vital role in bioscience research by ensuring the sterilisation of utensils, reagents, and waste. However, their significance comes at a cost to the environment. These indispensable instruments have a substantial environmental footprint, primarily due to their considerable consumption of water and energy. Did you know that in a single sterilisation cycle, a large autoclave can use several hundred litres of water? Additionally, the energy demands for this process are overwhelming.

Steps Towards Lab Efficiency:

Begin by using the autoclave only when necessary, reserving it for essential sterilisation tasks and steering clear of superfluous cycles. This mindful approach will avoid excessive energy and water consumption. When in use, ensure that the autoclave is run at full capacity to maximise efficiency and reduce per-cycle energy and water consumption. Additionally, you can explore water-saving devices or the adoption of greener autoclave models to achieve the highest levels of lab sustainability.

Sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand

Resource and energy efficiency initiatives can enable laboratories to significantly reduce their environmental footprint. While it might be challenging to identify sustainable opportunities, our dedicated team is always on the lookout for the latest news that will improve your operations.

For more information regarding sustainability laboratory practices, visit our sustainability hub. Moreover, should you have any questions about laboratory best practice or more sustainable lab equipment, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our team of experts is eager to assist you.