GeoLab – centralized lab facility at the Faculty of Geosciences

GeoLab – centralized lab facility at the Faculty of Geosciences

Sustainability

“We are continuously working to reduce the environmental footprint of our research activities, contributing to solutions in the broadest sense.”

— Martin Ziegler, Paleoclimatologist


Expert: Contact:
Boaz Chemtob sustainability.geo@uu.nl

At GeoLab we strive for scientific excellence using sustainable practices. As we recognize that conducting research in laboratories, including our own, has a substantial environmental impact. For instance, it is estimated that labs consume 5 to 10 times more energy than typical offices and generate about 2% of global plastic waste each year.

We actively seek to integrate sustainability into every aspect of the research lifecycle. As we embark on our sustainability journey, we have adopted a holistic strategy focused on continuous learning and improvement. This journey begins with a comprehensive understanding of what lab sustainability truly entails, including the determination of the environmental footprint, the identification of key areas and the implementation of actions, which can be taken to reduce the impact on the environment.

Environmental footprint of labs including physical aspects (1-4), organizational and behavioural factors (see 5-7). ©Boaz Chemtob & Margot Stoete

The environmental footprint of labs refers to their total impact on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption, and waste production. Another key aspect is the consumption of materials, known as the “product lifecycle“, which includes everything from lab equipment to the building itself. Labs emit greenhouse gas emissions partially from the energy needed to power equipment and installations.
The environmental footprint of the product lifecycle in labs include:

Raw material extraction:

    • Taking materials like metals, plastics, and chemicals from nature uses energy and harms ecosystems.

Processing and manufacturing:

    • Turning raw materials into lab equipment and supplies involves more energy and often produces pollution.

Delivery:

    • Transporting these materials to the lab generates emissions from vehicles.

Usage:

    • Using lab materials and equipment consumes energy and creates waste.

Waste disposal:

    Discarding used items adds to pollution and landfill waste.

As we thrive to create a comprehensive sustainability plan for our GeoLab, we must address key areas that create the environmental footprint. Let’s dive deeper into how we approach sustainability:

⚠ Laboratories have a high energy consumption due to the large number of technical equipment. This includes individual equipment to process and analyze samples or fundamental infrastructural installations like temperature-controlled rooms, heating and cooling devices and fume hoods.

💡 By improving the energy efficiency, labs can reduce the CO2 emissions and lower costs. Solutions can include a mix of technical upgrade such as energy-efficient devices and smart controls.

Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system at GeoLab.

🏠 The GeoLab building features an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) system that utilizes underground heat for efficient year-round heating and cooling. This innovative technology lowers energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by storing heat in the summer for winter use, and vice versa, efficiently redistributing thermal energy across campus. In addition, through the awareness of our lab personnel, we continuously assess the possibilities to implement energy-saving adjustments:

  • Purchase Energy-Efficient Equipment: When acquiring new equipment, we select models with energy-saving features and certifications like Energy Star to ensure optimal efficiency.
  • Optimize Equipment Usage: We ensure that machines and appliances operate only when needed and we utilize energy-saving settings, timers, and automated switches, and set heating and cooling devices to energy-efficient temperatures.
  • Share Equipment: We work towards sharing equipment across departments to maximize utilization and reduce operational costs.
  • Regular Maintenance: We perform regular maintenance on electronic devices (1-2 times per year) such as defrosting freezers and cleaning heat exhausts, to enhance efficiency and extend their lifespan.
  • Optimize Installations: We have installed motion-sensor lighting and we are working towards energy-efficient LED fixtures. In the near future, we intend to advance our ventilation systems so that it adjusts based on occupancy.

In addition, a well-designed lab further helps to reduce the consumption of energy:

Did you know that when operating at full capacity, a single fume hood can use three to four times more energy than a household? Through lowering its sash (front window), we decrease its energy consumption and increase safety.

  • Optimize Space: Our fairly new GeoLab building has been built with an efficient layout and workflow in mind to minimize unnecessary energy use and maximize resource utility.
  • Ventilation: Fume hoods are essential ventilation devices, designed to protect lab users from hazardous fumes. We manage the usage of fume hoods and ventilation systems to enhance energy efficiency.
  • Natural Lighting: We try to maximize the use of natural light to reduce reliance on artificial lighting.

⚠ Laboratories…

💡 The first step to reduce the consumption of materials, chemicals and consumables in labs is an evaluation whether they can be used less. This process involves careful planning, including assessing the purpose, determining the usage, researching alternative products or practices, and implementing sustainable solutions.

🏠 While prioritizing safety and compliance with scientific requirements, our efforts in the GeoLab have started out evaluating whether single-use plastics and hazardous chemicals can be reduced, used more efficiently, or replaced.

To promote the circular use of materials at GeoLab, we have utilized the R-Ladder, which is a well-established framework to help minimizing material usage in labs. It prioritizes strategies from most to least effective, with R1 (Refuse) being the most impactful and R5 (Recycle) as the final option when other strategies are not feasible:

  • Refuse (R1): Avoid unnecessary materials whenever possible.
  • Reduce (R2): Minimize consumption by optimizing experimental designs and practices.
  • Reuse (R3): Safely sterilize and repurpose materials where possible.
  • Repair (R4): Maintain and repair equipment to extend its lifespan.
  • Recycle (R5): Recycle materials like plastics, paper, and glass when reuse or repair is not possible.
Waste Reduction

We are constantly working towards reducing the amount of waste that we produce in the GeoLab…

  • Reduce Single-Use Plastics: We minimize the use of single-use plastic consumables by transitioning to durable, reusable alternatives such as glassware and reusable containers.
  • Utilize Efficient Equipment: We choose for efficient (analytical) equipment, which use fewer resources and generate less waste.
  • Maintenance: We have regular maintenance of our devices and (analytical) equipment to ensure proper functionality and to extend their lifespan.
  • Waste from Lab Work: Where possible, our lab users adopt methodologies that minimize waste. This can involve optimized experimental protocols, including reused chemicals and consumables and carefully selected materials to avoid excessive resource use.
  • Sample Labelling: We encourage our lab users to correctly labelled all samples to prevent the risk of accidents, misidentification or disposal of samples. While proper sample labelling helps improve sample management and reduce waste, it is also good laboratory practice.
Water Conservation

…

  • Low-Flow Fixtures: Through the installation of low-flow fixtures, we reduce water waste in sinks and other water-using equipment.
  • Water Recycling: We implement systems to capture and reuse water for non-sensitive applications.
  • Leak Management: We regularly inspect plumbing for leaks and repair them immediately.
Green Chemistry

…

  • Where possible, we select safer, less hazardous chemicals over others.
  • We enhance chemical reactions to reduce waste.
  • Where possible, we substitute harmful solvents with more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as low-emission solvents.

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