Latest innovations driving sustainable lab practices

From reducing single-use plastic to product transparency, explore the latest technology that’s helping to make labs more sustainable

4 Aug 2022
Cameron Smith-Craig
Cameron Smith-Craig
Pharma and Applied Sciences Editor

Editorial article

Lab Sustainability Special Feature

Now more than ever, scientists and manufacturers alike are starting to shift their mentality on sustainable labware choices. Previously an afterthought for many scientists, factors such as a product's carbon footprint or recyclability are becoming key considerations when looking for the latest addition to the lab, with many organizations both large and small starting to set annual targets to reduce their environmental impact.

In this dedicated special feature, we explore this shift in more detail, showcasing some of the latest innovations in this space and how their key features could go a long way to helping users achieve their sustainability goals. Learn how to ditch single-use plastic slides in your cell counting workflows, explore more sustainable methods of laboratory glassware washing, discover a fully integrated, turnkey tip washing solution, uncover how to reduce your laboratory consumables and waste disposal costs, and much more.

Reduce single-use plastic

REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC:Count cells without slides

Achieve your sustainability goals by eliminating a common source of plastic waste from the lab: cell counting slides. Learn how the CellDrop™ Automated Cell Counter from DeNovix is helping scientists around the world revolutionize their cell counting workflows.

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Sustainable glassware

SUSTAINABLE GLASSWARE: Washing with low consumption values and high efficiency

With three glassware washers currently certified with the coveted ACT® Label from My Green Lab®, including the efficient PG 8583 CD, learn how Miele Professional is making sustainable glassware reprocessing accessible to your lab.

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Reducing plastic

REDUCING PLASTIC: A fully-automated tip washing solution

Designed for labs of all sizes and shapes, discover Grenova's fully integrated, turnkey tip washing solution. The Automated TipNovus™ (ATN) Package aims to offer customers supply chain resilience and protection against pipette tip shortages.

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Sample preparation

SAMPLE PREPARATION: Stress-free working with less plastic and waste disposal costs

Explore how an innovative sample preparation solution can help create a stress-free working environment, reduce plastic usage in the lab, and cut the costs of waste disposal. Discover the Seward Stomacher® EVO lab blender with Seward Stomacher® Eco bags.

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Molecular diagnostics

MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS: A greener way to extract nucleic acids

Current nucleic acid extraction techniques generate large amounts of plastic waste and involve time-intensive protocols. Discover a technology that aims to simplify molecular testing protocols, while reducing consumable use and plastic waste.

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Low-carbon labware

LOW-CARBON LABWARE: Setting the standard for product transparency and sustainability

Environmental considerations of laboratory products have often been an afterthought, until now. In this article, SelectScience explores how scientists and suppliers are starting to shift their mentality on sustainable labware choices.

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More resources for lab sustainability:

Nominate the product or service you think has made the biggest impact toward laboratory sustainability for the Sustainable Laboratory Product of the Year Scientists' Choice Award.

Find out how bioscience labs can contribute to sustainable progress by reducing the consumption of energy, labor, materials, and space; reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, pollution, and waste products.

Watch this on-demand webinar to explore the challenges of the plastic waste industry and the importance of complying with plastic packaging legislation.

Hear how BioLabs, a membership-based network of shared lab and office facilities in the United States, partnered with Miele to provide some of its residents with essential laboratory glassware washers.

Your recommendations

Take a look at what other researchers and scientists all over the world are saying about the latest equipment and technologies to make labs more sustainable. Here, Sonia Odell from Fox Metro WRD shares her opinion of the PG 8583 CD Laboratory Glassware Washer by Miele Professional USA.

Featured review

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Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MicroplatesMicroplates are multi-well plates used to increase the throughput of biological investigations. The number of wells microplates contain can range from 6 to 3243 wells, with the 96-well format being the most commonly used. Microplates can come tailored for a range of applications including cell culture, PCR, filtration, storage, non-binding surface, protein crystallization, as well as pre-coated, deep well and normal Standard microplates. Additionally, options for microplate colors include clear , black, white or black with clear bottom and white with clear bottom for absorbance microplate reader applications. Find the best microplates for your lab in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Autoclaves and SterilizersAutoclaves and sterilizers are commonly used to sterilize laboratory equipment, instruments and growth media using constant pressure and temperature. When choosing an autoclave or sterilizer consider medical or laboratory application, size, loading and sterilization method. Sterilization methods include flame (Bunsen burners), heat (steam or dry), chemical and UV.FiltrationFiltration and microfiltration are used to separate solids, particulates or large molecules from fluids (liquid or gases) in order to purify the filtrate. Explore a range of filter formats, including filter paper, plates and membranes for your separation needs. While larger particulates may be separated by gravity filtration, smaller particulates may require additional force for timely separation. Microfiltration equipment includes vacuum filters, as well as positive pressure, crossflow and centrifugal filtration devices. Find the best filtration products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Washing EquipmentWashing equipment is more convenient than ever before with automated systems, integrated and multi-application systems available. For instance microplate washers can be programmable, combined with reagents dispensers and used for applications such as ELISA, multiplex assays and PCR clean up.Labware and Lab SuppliesLabware and lab supplies include various forms of glassware, plasticware, reagents and personal protective equipment (PPE) and are used across all scientific laboratories, enabling daily tasks to be performed. Explore a range of flasks and beakers, petri dishes, carboys and storage bottles. Labware such as condensers, desiccators and burettes are also available for more specific tasks. Find the best labware and lab supplies in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.Homogenizers and BlendersHomogenizers and blenders are used to homogenize various types of material, including tissue, cells, plants, food, soil, biological and chemical samples for subsequent analysis. Lab equipment for sample homogenization includes handheld and benchtop homogenizers, bead mill, ultrasonic and multiple sample homogenizers, high shear homogenizers and blenders. Homogenizer bead and probe multipacks are available to avoid cross contamination of samples, as well as cooling systems for homogenizing temperature-sensitive samples. Homogenizers are often used in the first step of extraction of DNA, RNA and proteins from tissue and cell samples. Find the best homogenizers and blenders in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Waste WaterLab EssentialsLab essentials include laboratory consumables that are vital to the operation of all laboratories.SustainabilitySustainability in research and industry focuses on reducing environmental impact, conserving resources, and promoting long-term ecological balance. Innovations in sustainable practices include renewable energy, waste reduction, and eco-friendly materials. Explore more sustainabile solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Green Labs