Laboratories are at the heart of scientific progress, but they also come with a major cost to the environment – plastic waste. The life sciences industry is a massive consumer of single-use plastics, from pipette tips and petri dishes to tubes and gloves. In fact, labs generate an estimated 5.5 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. Unlike household plastics, lab plastics are often contaminated with chemicals or biological material, making them difficult, if not impossible, to recycle. With sustainability becoming a growing priority, is there a way to reduce the environmental footprint of lab work?
The search for alternatives
To tackle this issue, companies are developing biodegradable and plant-based alternatives made from renewable sources such as cornstarch, algae, and sugarcane. Compostable pipette tip racks and PCR tubes made from plant-based materials are already on the market, offering more eco-friendly options. However, while these alternatives sound promising, their practicality isn’t so great. Many bioplastics don’t degrade under normal lab conditions and need special composting facilities, which most labs don’t have. Some labs are also finding ways to reuse and repurpose materials to reduce waste.
Challenges to overcome
While the idea of biodegradable labware is exciting, there are significant hurdles to jump before reaching widespread adoption. Many biodegradable plastics fail to meet the sterility requirements necessary for lab work. Another major barrier is cost – sustainable alternatives are often more expensive than traditional plastics, since they are still in early stages, making it difficult for labs to justify the switch. Additionally, scaling up production while maintaining scientific standards remains tricky.
What’s next?
The push for sustainable labware is gaining momentum, with increasing investment in research and new materials, but is the future in biodegradable plastics, or should the focus be on improving recycling programs within labs? Some researchers argue that enhanced recycling systems could be more effective than going down the biodegradables road. Future regulations may also play a role in pushing labs toward mandatory sustainability practices. Manufacturers are already responding to the challenge – Thermo Fisher Scientific, a Lab Innovations exhibitor, has developed its Sustain Series PCR plastics, a biobased alternative that reduces carbon emissions without sacrificing performance. Whatever the solution, collaboration between scientists, manufacturers, and regulators will be essential in creating a more sustainable future for labs.
So, what do you think – can labs ever go plastic-free?
