Drosophila researchers around the world have taken steps to green their lab operations while maintaining good laboratory practices. These efforts include preventing material waste, energy conservation, and leveraging the attributes of this model organism to reduce the need for testing in mammalians. We hope you are inspired by the initiatives of these green labs!
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Lab Reuse Strategies to Reduce Carbon Footprints
The shift to single-use plastics has grown dramatically in life science over time. Excitingly, a new study shares evidence that a balanced approach of reuse and single-use labware can reduce environmental impacts and costs.
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How to start a micropipette repair program
Repairing micropipettes conserves science funding, reduces lab waste downstream, adds operational resilience for research, and is better for the environment. Learn the steps to setting up a pipette repair shop in this green lab tip from the first university in the world to attain 100% green labs, the University of Bristol!
Read MoreLoad bulk pipette tips into racks faster
Reusing pipette tip boxes by refilling pipette tips purchased in bulk and autoclaving has been going on in green biology labs forever. The drawback is the time it takes. Cheers and credit to easylabsolutions on youtube for demonstrating this 3D printed device!
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UV disinfection in life science labs
Since many biology labs are working at limited capacity due to COVID-19 , I wondered if any of the UV disinfection technologies used in the healthcare sector could improve safety and sustainability in biology workspaces. To consider any practical options, I dug up some recent studies and spoke with the Director of the University of New Hampshire Environmental Engineering Research Group, James Malley Ph.D., who is a respected expert on UV theory and practice. It turns out that there are strict scenarios for UV technology to improve safety and sustainability.
Read MoreHow to switch from plastic to glass Petri dishes in your lab: an interview with Elicia Preston of the UPENN Perelman School of Medicine
Our thanks today to green lab champion Elicia Preston who is a research scientist and lab manager in John Murray’s Lab in the Genetics Department at the Perelman School of Medicine! The following interview and their accompanying “how to” video provide the information you need to use glass petri plates to reduce plastic waste in your laboratory.
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