Lab equipment and research can be very resource intensive. When purchasing scientific supplies, choose sustainable options to reduce energy, water, solid and hazardous waste.
When purchasing consumables or upgrading your laboratory equipment, choose energy and water efficient options. To minimize human and environmental health impacts, choose less hazardous supplies through material substitution best practices. Follow the guidelines below and refer to the Green Labs Products List (pdf) for a sample of recommended products.
Choose
Equipment and Processes
- Equipment and supply sharing with other labs whenever possible, including Reuse-it! UBC for surplus supplies
- Energy and water efficient laboratory equipment and processes
- Energy efficient ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers
- Vendors that take back and recycle equipment responsibly at the end of a product's life
Consumables and Chemicals
- Less hazardous chemicals and processes, when other options are available
- Chemicals and hazardous materials purchased in the smallest quantities needed
- Products manufactured with minimal plastics and reduced plastic packaging
Packaging, Deliveries, Recycling
- Consolidated orders and deliveries, and combined orders with other laboratories
- Vendors that avoid Styrofoam and use minimal and recyclable packaging; if Styrofoam is unavoidable, recycle it on campus
Avoid
Equipment and Processes
- Purchasing new equipment and supplies, when sharing with other labs is possible
- Inefficient equipment and processes, when more efficient options are available
- Dated and wasteful lab techniques, including using "once-through" tap water to cool equipment
Consumables and Chemicals
- Purchasing hazardous materials in larger quantities than needed
- Overstocking supplies and chemicals/reagents with short expiration dates
Packaging, Deliveries, Recycling
- Purchasing items from multiple vendors, when available from a single vendor
- Vendors that use Styrofoam, and non-recyclable packaging
