Are you a scientist looking for ways to conduct your research more sustainably? If so, the Max Planck Sustainability Network is an inspiring model. As a Max Planck Society (MPG) wide grassroots network, it is designed to help scientists and non-scientists within the MPG as well as from around the world to work together to find innovative and sustainable solutions to some of our planet's most pressing issues.

From utilizing a vendor program to recycle PET cell culture media bottles to making the switch from ethanol to bioethanol, these initiatives have helped change the way research is being conducted in many labs. Recently, Labconscious had the privilege of chatting with Jan Heidelberger, PhD, Scientific Coordinator at the Max Planck School Matter to Life to learn more about the Network’s mission and how they approach sustainability.

 Q: Could you give us a brief background about the Max Planck Sustainability Network? Why was it started, what are its mission and goals?

Heidelberger: The Max Planck Sustainability Network was started in May 2019 as a network between different sustainability groups at individual Max Planck Institutes. Since then, the network has grown, spanning more than 40 sustainability groups as well as individual members from additional institutes.

The aim of the network is to share knowledge among the members and make the Max Planck Society as well as science in general more ecologically sustainable. Therefore, the network also created the Catalog of Recommendations, which combines more than thirty recommendations that can be applied at the Institutes.

Q: Your team presented some leading-edge strategies at the recent Green Laboratory Work Conference. Could you share some more details about these strategies?

Heidelberger: Serum-free mammalian cell culture media, for example, got quite famous recently due to the development of CleanMeat, which is meat grown in a lab for consumers. This enhanced the general demand of serum-free media and the development of additional alternatives.

If you are aware of the way that Fetal bovine/calf serum (FBS/FCS) is produced, you know that it is a cruel procedure including the extraction of the respective serum out of newborn animals. Switching media should be always tested with respected cell lines, but asking for a trial at your supplier of choice as well as inquiring about customer experiences can be helpful. A colleague of mine further reported that when she switched to serum-free media, this eliminated a reproducibility problem with “normal” medium, since depending of the serum lot composition can change and influence the cells. Nevertheless, adapting might take a little time, give it a try!

Recycling of PET bottles was a system introduced to us by PAN-biotech. They offer a collection box for pure PET bottles. Cleaned and uncontaminated bottles from all suppliers can be collected in the box and once full are collected for recycling.

PAN-biotech has told us that they are working on this in close collaboration with a German recycling facility based in Bavaria, so the plastic is not exported. Due to law restrictions and the current requirement for virgin plastic for lab applications, the plastic cannot be used to create new cell culture media bottles or equivalents. Nevertheless, it can be used to make new bottles for other applications. While the system is in general easy to use, you need to find a suitable place to store the collection box, and you need to ensure the plastic is clean and free of contaminations. Other suppliers are offering similar solutions, so do not hesitate to request information about the process of recycling as well as future use.

Switching to bioethanol or “cleaner” consumables in general means you are replacing your current lab solvents, reagents, or kits with ones that are more sustainable. This can range from different ways of packaging in order to reduce material, to more sustainable production (resource-wise or efficiency-wise) or shipment methods. Ask your supplier what they have available as an alternative and request changes.

A colleague of mine switched to an animal-free alternative of Trypsin (Gibco™ TrypLE™ Express Enzyme from Thermo Fisher Scientific) and she reported that it is just as good as the animal version for her applications. Thermo Fisher Scientific and other suppliers, e.g., Sigma-Aldrich® mark these green alternatives in their catalog. The latter also offers the mentioned “greener” ethanol.

In addition, buying bigger quantities reduces packaging material and a shared barrel of ethanol can even be handed back for a refill. Another option to reduce individual shipping would be local supply centers which are stocked with commonly used goods from suppliers and are restocked upon need

 Q: How can we encourage other scientists to begin thinking this way? Any advice?

Heidelberger: One way is to invite respective suppliers and have a discussion with them about their development towards more sustainability, what they can offer and how they can support you. Also, talk to your local procurement office as well as to your lab technicians in order to make them aware of product alternatives.

Regarding recycling, find a good spot for the container and go ahead and order it. Make your colleagues and lab mates aware of the option and introduce them to the way it is used. Maybe create a small challenge of who can recycle best!

Also, when using serum media or other animal-related products, make yourself and your colleagues aware of the way these products are made. I did not know for a long time and was shocked. Talk to people who switched, ask for a trial at your supplier, and refer to published data.

Conclusion

The Max Planck Sustainability Network brings together ideas and efforts to tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental concerns in collaboration with other European and worldwide initiatives. With climate change, dwindling resources, and other sustainability challenges on the horizon, it has never been more important for businesses, governments, and individuals to come together and find solutions

Are you involved in a sustainability-related project? Let us know! We would love to hear about it.