Let’s say your green lab group has set a new goal to reduce waste or save energy - to choose the path to sustainability. You’ve identified a specific change to make in the lab. You explain the new system in a lab meeting and follow up with an email. But engagement is lackluster or starts strong but fades over time. The request does not seem like a big ask. What’s going on?
As logical as we might like to think we are, our brain is wired for selective attention. Subconsciously, we all resist changing established routines because it disrupts mental flow. And of course, the minds of scientists are focused on science.
Signage is an important and cost-effective tool for turning sustainability initiatives into established lab culture. The types of signs typically used in lab facilities can come in the form of posters, stickers/decals, and digital, or even three-dimensional displays. No matter which format, it’s good to know best practices.
Begin with Three Basic Rules for Sign Design
Limit the content/amount of text per sign.
Stay consistent in the design of a series of signs.
Make text easy to read at a distance.
Shown below is a great example of laboratory poster design from the LEAF program. Eighty-five research institutions take part in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) around the world.
Published with permission and credit to Sustainable UCL, LEAF, University College London.
Use Different Motivations for Waste and Water versus Energy
Let’s start with lab waste and water conservation. To engage fellow scientists, connect the action to environmental stewardship. Since we directly handle these materials they are intrinsically connected to the natural world in our minds. A word of caution, the effect is strong enough to trigger counterproductive “wishful thinking” during manual waste sorting, i.e. recycling or composting. Avoid contaminating waste collections by making the sorting goal absolutely clear. Show specific items whenever possible.
Encourage stewardship: Turn off autoclaves when not in use – Water conservation protects our river ecosystems
Make it personal: Use your mug instead of paper hot cups – Save trees and enjoy a lifetime of weekends in the woods!
Cite facts: ~30 000 t of biopharma single-use products are landfilled or burned each year. Keep un-contaminated lab plastics out of biohazard waste.
For energy-saving tasks, be straightforward and tie the action to technology. Technology is tangible. Technology is interactive. Without it, energy usage is invisible. This framing prompts users on how they should use tools and technologies. Provide simple, direct instructions for shared equipment using unambiguous language. Secondarily, it’s still helpful when you showcase the greater goal. Add that secondary message to show how the action affects your organization. Highlighting your organization's sustainability goals creates fellowship. Or, in some cases, it makes more sense to emphasize a greater goal that is personal to overcome hesitancy.
Inform on lab policy and reference fellowship: Switch off after use. Let’s get to net zero carbon by 2030
Connect with personal goals: Please consider using the stairs. Burn calories, not electricity.
Take lessons from Ergonomics and the fine Arts
Studies of people's efficiency in working environments reveal useful insights. People tend toward non-green behaviors whenever their work taxes physical or mental resources. A good sign should make it easy to understand the task. Ideally, signage should appear exactly where the green action takes place - around eye level when possible. Behaviorism tells us that visual cues require less practice than verbal cues for learning. New behaviors need to be generalized to different settings. The repetition of lab expectation messages is scaffolding for learning. Smooth the path with specific action stickers, inspiring posters, and a reasonable cadence of email reminders. Just like how smart default power-downs work well with equipment, opt-out, simple email reminders of current goals can work well to facilitate group-wide improvements.
Be cutting edge: Digital, real-time feedback on energy use that is available to everyone. The University of Virginia and its (UVA) Sustainable Labs Group is a great model for energy conservation using tracker tools.
Inspire with art: The “Window takeover” by The Climate@MaxPerutzLabs initiative is a striking example of using 3D art to inspire and engage. If you haven’t read their recent EMBO Reports paper, The Paradox of the life sciences How to address climate change in the lab - you should!
Lab Signs should be part of a multilayered setup for Success
Signs are not a stand-alone solution for engaging lab mates in going green. Green building certifications typically rate systems for implementing environmentally educational features because signs are helpful. But it’s okay to admit we are distractable humans. Concern for the environment does not always translate into action within busy lab workflows. It’s unrealistic to assume everyone will prioritize sustainability at every waking moment. Just like with lab safety, the key is to create multilayered support systems. Different signals will help different people at different points in time. That’s a good thing. Cognitive diversity and diverse perspectives in general are wonderful for problem-solving! On top of good signage, training, and just being able to consult a knowledgeable lab mate on the spot is extremely helpful. The knowledge that your organization’s leadership is truly committed to sustainability drives personal commitments. Above all, make the desired action clear and make it meaningful.