2023 Laboratory Sustainability Trends
As we look ahead to 2023, it’s important to consider the top trends in laboratory sustainability and waste reduction. As environmental consciousness continues to grow, so does the need for labs across industries—from medical research facilities and universities to manufacturing plants—to reduce their carbon footprints. Here are a few of the top trends that you should keep an eye on as we move closer to 2023:
1) Renewable Energy Sources – More laboratories will be making use of renewable energy sources such as solar power or wind turbines in order to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. This not only helps cut costs but also reduces emissions from burning fossil fuels which contributes significantly towards global warming. Additionally, some labs may even choose to install battery storage systems in order for them to take advantage of cheap off-peak electricity rates during non-operational hours while still being able to maintain operations when needed without relying solely on the grid power supply.
2) Automation & Robotics – Automation is becoming more commonplace within laboratories due to its ability to increase efficiency while reducing manual labor needs and therefore cutting down operating costs associated with staffing requirements; this can also help free up valuable resources which can then be utilized elsewhere within your lab environment (eg., investing into new technologies). Furthermore, robotics technology has been gaining traction over recent years due to its potential applications within various areas including sample preparation/analysis processes where robots can perform repetitive tasks faster than human operators ever could leading to further cost savings along with improved accuracy levels compared to traditional methods used by humans alone.
3) Waste Reduction Strategies – Laboratories produce large amounts of hazardous materials through experimentation activities; however there are ways these materials can be recycled or reused rather than disposed of completely (eg., using closed-loop filtration systems). Additionally implementing waste management plans such as those based around ISO 14001 standards set out by International Organization for Standardization will ensure that all hazardous material produced is properly identified, labeled, and stored securely away from personnel before being safely disposed of according to local regulations ensuring minimal impact upon our environment whilst adhering safety protocols at all times.
By keeping track of these three key trends going forward into 2023 you’ll have a better understanding of how best to implement sustainability initiatives throughout your own laboratory helping achieve long-term goals related to both financial performance alongside social responsibility objectives thus ensuring success well beyond the current year!