So much has been achieved, and so many new opportunities have emerged!
Alves and colleagues have demonstrated what is possible. However, while their work is impressive, it also builds on an existing body of literature, including a method optimization published years ago that remains largely unknown even today.
But let me take you out of the lab for a second.
Imagine you want to do something completely different from your everyday routine to mix things up.
You decide on something that will help you unwind - making a clay pot.
It’s a calming exercise, and you might even end up with a nice present for your family.
Isn't it beautiful what I crafted there? Just kidding, I am diligently writing emails to you : )
But to make such a pot, you need two things.
First, you need clay and some equipment. After all, you want to make a pot, not spend your time making clay and crafting equipment.
Second, you need somebody to show you how to shape it. Those seemingly complicated hand movements that turn a lump of clay into a beautiful pot.
While you can easily order the clay and equipment, you would probably go to a school or consult a YouTube video of a lovely granny showing you how it's done.
In the end, you want to have fun creating a pot, not face another challenge trying to reinvent the wheel (or the pot).
And I believe the exact same should be possible for sustainability. So I made it my goal to do it.
Two Resources for You
Also to make labs greener, you should have someone to provide you with the right resources and techniques
Ever wondered how much energy your laboratory instruments consume? Finding out isn't always straightforward. You can spend hours searching for answers - or you can turn to the right sources and get the information you need. P.S. Take the numbers with a grain of salt. They are based on the most common types of laboratory instruments used over the past 10 years, so actual energy consumption may vary.
But can you really apply what others are doing, given that your protocols are unique?
That's why I've prepared the following two resources for you even before the event starts.
Secondly, I sat down to create a set of Excel templates to help you track your lab's footprint, plan changes, and measure your impact.
But do you actually have the time and headspace to figure it all out?
This is why I want to be your granny - figuratively, of course.
We Show You How
There is no YouTube video on how to make your lab greener.
But together with our amazing speakers, I want to show you how to drive change on October 28 and 29, starting at 4 p.m. Berlin time.
Sustainability should be fun - and that's exactly what I tried to bring to our event! Above is Saki the Scientist with one of her coolest projects. I met her in Heidelberg and was immediately intrigued by her creative ideas. I hope she'll come up with another exciting project soon!
Here's my vision for our event:
I’ll start with a simple step-by-step plan and real case studies.
Then, you’ll discover new innovations in bio-based reagents, gas generators, and plastic labware that help you reduce your environmental footprint without changing your existing workflows.
I’m the granny, and the others are providing you with the clay and the equipment.
But you still need to know how to position your hands properly to make a beautiful pot.
Therefore, on Thursday, we’ll start with bioplastic labware and discuss what actually makes these products greener - and what doesn't!
Then, we’ll explore how sustainability can improve science through two exciting examples.
Finally, we’ll move from big players like Eppendorf to a more community-focused setting.
Together with those who craft solutions for labs by hand, we’ll explore new tools and how they have driven change.
In other words, you'll not only have the raw materials but also learn those little tricks and movements that make something seemingly complicated surprisingly simple.
So Reader, I hope you can take a little time away from the daily pressure and join us to discover how exciting greener science can be.
Alves, J., et al., 2021. A case report: insights into reducing plastic waste in a microbiology laboratory. Access Microbiology, 3(3), p.000173. doi:10.1099/acmi.0.000173.
If you have a wish or a question, feel free to reply to this Email. Other than that, see you soon!
Edited by Patrick Penndorf Connection@ReAdvance.com Lutherstraße 159, 07743, Jena, Thuringia, Germany Data Protection & Impressum If you think we do a bad job: Unsubscribe
Personal Note from Patrick, the Editor Hi Reader, did you invite your friends to the event so you have someone to share the experience with? Well, I know, Mondays are the most exciting days to take action... But you can be in good spirits because I’ll have a new dose of motivation for you on Wednesday and Thursday. Here is something most people overlook when thinking about sustainability: Exciting & Easy Innovations for Our Laboratories Why making labs greener is becoming easier....
Personal Note from Patrick, the Editor Hi Reader, you should invite your friends to our event next week. Why? While I was putting together some resources to help you set your freezer to -70°C, I was reminded of the importance of teamwork. So, let me share what might be the most unique spreadsheet for laboratory sustainability with you. Secondly, let me explain how this connects to inviting your friends. The Freezer Spreadsheet & Teamwork Why working together makes such a difference. How We...
Personal Note from Patrick, the Editor Hi Reader, can we scientists set a good example? Next Wednesday and Thursday (28th and 29th), our online event takes place – here is the final schedule for you. While it would be an honor for me to see you live, I think there are two advantages for you, too: In short, they are time and scale. Let me explain how these can help you make your lab greener: Today's Lesson: Opportunities Ready for You Some inspiration for what we can and will be able to do...
