When you think of going "green" in the laboratory, does it sound like a distraction?  The truth is that there are big benefits to updating your lab material flow system.  There are good reasons why research institutions and corporations have re-invented how labs work to facilitate sustainability. Consider the following impact areas of laboratory waste.

Labs that require the regular use of rooms to decontaminate employees know how much of a misnomer the term “cleanroom” can be. Sure, these areas prevent allergens and pollutants from affecting the workplace and potential consumers, but one look at the energy costs of operating such an area reveals an ironic truth: running a cleanroom can be a dirty business.

Freezers are among the biggest energy consumers in a lab, and as a result they can cost a lab a lot of money. The International Freezer Challenge promotes best practices in cold storage management and awards the labs who have done the most to save energy and improve their sample storage.