In June 2020, the small town of Merrillville, IN, received a visit from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Merrillville is home to Microbac, a laboratory that offers analytical testing services for food, environmental, antimicrobial products, and pharmaceuticals. With more than 20 facilities across the United States, they are required to follow local water regulations, in addition to safety data sheets. However, what the IDEM found was not in line with either.
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Ways that Labs Can Reduce Plastic Packaging Waste
Plastic packaging often gets a bad rap (wrap?). And rightly so — approximately 5.5 million tons of plastic is produced annually in life sciences laboratories. While it provides essential protection and labeling for products, its impact on the environment calls for action. Fortunately, there are ways laboratories can reduce their waste from plastic packaging.
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Fetal Bovine Serum : Is it time to find a new growth supplement?
Fetal bovine serum, or FBS, has been a staple in cell culture practices for decades. However, multiple ethical issues and market supply challenges surround its use. Here’s a rundown of the issues around FBS, why scientists are looking for other options, and some alternative products to consider.
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Top 5 Sustainable Travel Tips for Scientists
When it comes to travel, there are many ways to be sustainable – here are some tips to keep in mind as you head out to your next tradeshow or conference.
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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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DNA and RNA Purification Kits
The eco-friendly design movement to cut waste while retaining or improving nucleic acid purification results is gaining traction. Learn about kits from three vendors.
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