Most biologists welcome opportunities to learn about environmentalism. A green fair is a great way to increase awareness and commitment to environmental justice and sustainability in life science work. Let’s review some tips for planning a successful green fair for biologists.
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The Ways Fly labs Go Green
Drosophila researchers around the world have taken steps to green their lab operations while maintaining good laboratory practices. These efforts include preventing material waste, energy conservation, and leveraging the attributes of this model organism to reduce the need for testing in mammalians. We hope you are inspired by the initiatives of these green labs!
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De-Fossilizing Lab Plastics
In life science, it’s often plastic-polluted ecosystems that firm our resolve to limit the environmental impacts of our lab work. Let’s take a moment to recognize a new category of lab plastics as a welcome step forward in sustainability.
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Green Labs are Removing UV Lamps from Tissue Culture Biosafety Cabinets
UV decontamination lighting has been incorporated into biosafety cabinets for decades, and persistently over-relied on for decades in cell culture work. Green labs are removing UV lamps from biosafety hoods to eliminate risks and save energy. It’s a simple action that overcomes energy waste in the right setting.
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Lab signage: How to create clear calls for eco-friendly actions
Signage is an important tool for turning lab initiatives into established lab culture. A sign shows the path to sustainability. The types of signs typically used in lab facilities can come in the form of posters, stickers/decals, and digital, or even three-dimensional displays. No matter which format, it’s good to know best practices.
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How Labs Can Avoid Polluting Waterways (and What to Do Instead)
In June 2020, the small town of Merrillville, IN, received a visit from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Merrillville is home to Microbac, a laboratory that offers analytical testing services for food, environmental, antimicrobial products, and pharmaceuticals. With more than 20 facilities across the United States, they are required to follow local water regulations, in addition to safety data sheets. However, what the IDEM found was not in line with either.
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