Working together towards a more sustainable laboratory sector

The demand for sustainable solutions within the laboratory sector is growing rapidly. To support members in this, the Laboratory Technology Sustainability Expertise Group has been established within FHI: an active platform where companies collaborate on knowledge sharing, practical solutions, and concrete steps towards a more sustainable sector.

From ambition to concrete steps

Significant steps have been taken since the start of the expert group. During the meetings, it was jointly determined where the greatest need lies within the industry. With this, the expert group is making the move from vision to implementation: from abstract sustainability ambitions to practical tools for members.

Six themes as a guideline

Six themes were selected from the joint brainstorming session on which the expert group will focus. These themes form the basis for practical tools for the industry.

1. Laboratory equipment & furniture
The layout of a laboratory largely determines the lifespan, flexibility, and energy impact of the work environment. Important considerations include material selection, modular design, repair and replacement of parts, and limiting energy consumption of fume hoods, among other things.

2. Equipment
For equipment, the focus is on energy consumption, lifespan extension, and circularity. This includes making energy consumption transparent, proper maintenance, repair, software support, refurbished equipment, modular systems, and consciously weighing up repairing, replacing, or relocating.

3. Transport
Transport offers direct opportunities for CO₂ reduction through more efficient logistics. Possible steps include bundling deliveries, reducing delivery frequency, making better use of return flows, gaining insight into transport impact, and conducting a baseline measurement of transport movements.

4. Single-use products
For single-use products, the central question is whether single use is necessary or primarily stems from habit or convenience. The expert group examines reuse, bio-based alternatives, insight into waste streams, user instructions, and opportunities to reduce waste.

5. Packaging materials
Packaging constitutes a visible and often unnecessary environmental burden. The focus is on reducing packaging volume, avoiding Styrofoam, making impact transparent, reusable or recyclable materials, deposit systems, and digital product information via QR codes.

6. Chemicals
For chemicals, the emphasis is on substitution, safe use, and waste reduction. Key focus areas include less harmful alternatives, awareness regarding animal components in culture media, preventing overqualification, reducing substances of very high concern, optimizing dosing, reuse, and proper waste disposal.

The next step

In the coming period, the expert group will further develop the six themes into practical tools that can be shared with the entire constituency.
In doing so, we explicitly seek connection with groups of end-users who are also working on sustainability within the laboratory sector. Only by working together can we make the entire chain more sustainable.
In November, we are organizing a broader members' meeting. During this meeting, we will present the results and help members translate them into concrete steps within their own practice.