Sustainability & environmental compatibility in the laboratory

Is that possible? If yes, how?

The bio.nrw.red event was dedicated to these questions: “Environmentally conscious research — sustainability in the (biomedical) laboratory” On 28.10.2022, BIO.NRW's all-day networking event took place at the BioCampus Cologne conference levels. The event was booked out within a very short time after the date was announced. This was certainly also due to the highly interesting topic.

The event was aimed at interested scientists with laboratory work in the life science sector and here both beginners and long-standing professionals.

The numerous controversial presentations followed by direct Q&A sessions provided a highly interesting platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience. During all discussions on theory and practice on this topic, it became clear that sustainability cannot be viewed and implemented in isolation from economic, social and ecological goals. Rather, sustainability will only be achievable in the long term if all goals are equally important and weighted.

But how can sustainability & environmental compatibility also be implemented in the laboratory? There is also potential here. In the laboratory, too, it is basically about using resources sparingly without completely destroying them, but rather preserving them for the future. There were lots of interesting discussion points. Just a few are mentioned here:

When we are at home or when shopping weekly, we often think about what it means to behave in an environmentally friendly or sustainable way. We are often motivated because we can save our own wallet. It is interesting that the sustainability approach from private households can also be used in the laboratory, although usually in a different quantity. Everyone knows that we should defrost the freezer regularly at home or rather disconnect from ineffective power-guzzling appliances. That is no different in the laboratory. A freezer at minus 80° consumes as much energy as a single-family house in one year. If this freezer is still icy, outdated or not used effectively enough, it is more than time to act.

Saving water, reducing consumables, reusing products in compliance with safety standards and reducing disposable items are just a few points worth implementing. The topic of recycling laboratory waste is still in its infancy in Germany. In other countries, especially the USA, there are already manufacturers and programs that recycle laboratory waste.

They certainly exist — the potential to implement sustainability & environmental compatibility in the laboratory as well. Here too, as in the private sector, time is of the essence if we don't want to put even more pressure on the planet.

It was a successful event as a prelude to this topic. The form of the event with alternating moderation, presentation and subsequent questions and discussion rounds was particularly convincing.

Thanks to the numerous speakers. Just a few are mentioned here as representatives: Dr. Kerstin Hermuth-Kleinschmidt, Kristine Oevel, Dr. Jan Heidelberger, Dr. Mona Al-Maarri and many thanks to the organizer BIO.NRW in particular Daria Siury.

We need more of these types of events that are about the future of all of us. We would love to come back here at BioCampus Cologne.

‍

Sustainability & environmental compatibility in the laboratory

Is that possible? If yes, how?

The bio.nrw.red event was dedicated to these questions: “Environmentally conscious research — sustainability in the (biomedical) laboratory” On 28.10.2022, BIO.NRW's all-day networking event took place at the BioCampus Cologne conference levels. The event was booked out within a very short time after the date was announced. This was certainly also due to the highly interesting topic.

The event was aimed at interested scientists with laboratory work in the life science sector and here both beginners and long-standing professionals.

The numerous controversial presentations followed by direct Q&A sessions provided a highly interesting platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience. During all discussions on theory and practice on this topic, it became clear that sustainability cannot be viewed and implemented in isolation from economic, social and ecological goals. Rather, sustainability will only be achievable in the long term if all goals are equally important and weighted.

But how can sustainability & environmental compatibility also be implemented in the laboratory? There is also potential here. In the laboratory, too, it is basically about using resources sparingly without completely destroying them, but rather preserving them for the future. There were lots of interesting discussion points. Just a few are mentioned here:

When we are at home or when shopping weekly, we often think about what it means to behave in an environmentally friendly or sustainable way. We are often motivated because we can save our own wallet. It is interesting that the sustainability approach from private households can also be used in the laboratory, although usually in a different quantity. Everyone knows that we should defrost the freezer regularly at home or rather disconnect from ineffective power-guzzling appliances. That is no different in the laboratory. A freezer at minus 80° consumes as much energy as a single-family house in one year. If this freezer is still icy, outdated or not used effectively enough, it is more than time to act.

Saving water, reducing consumables, reusing products in compliance with safety standards and reducing disposable items are just a few points worth implementing. The topic of recycling laboratory waste is still in its infancy in Germany. In other countries, especially the USA, there are already manufacturers and programs that recycle laboratory waste.

They certainly exist — the potential to implement sustainability & environmental compatibility in the laboratory as well. Here too, as in the private sector, time is of the essence if we don't want to put even more pressure on the planet.

It was a successful event as a prelude to this topic. The form of the event with alternating moderation, presentation and subsequent questions and discussion rounds was particularly convincing.

Thanks to the numerous speakers. Just a few are mentioned here as representatives: Dr. Kerstin Hermuth-Kleinschmidt, Kristine Oevel, Dr. Jan Heidelberger, Dr. Mona Al-Maarri and many thanks to the organizer BIO.NRW in particular Daria Siury.

We need more of these types of events that are about the future of all of us. We would love to come back here at BioCampus Cologne.

‍