Lab equipment can have a large environmental footprint through energy usage and the embodied impacts of its creation and eventual disposal. By extending the life of equipment, sharing when possible and choosing more efficient models, labs can save money and reduce their environmental impact.
Best Practices for Sustainable Equipment Use
- Buy better: Choose energy-efficient models and avoid over-specification. Look for ACT labels when available.
- Use wisely: Consider smart power strips, timers or software-based scheduling tools to make it easier to turn off equipment when not in use. .
- Maintain regularly: Make sure you understand what regular actions your equipment requires, such as cleaning filters and checking seals. Set up a preventive maintenance schedule to ensure these actions are taken and extend equipment life.
- Share and repurpose: Before purchasing something new, think about if it's something you could try to source through UW Surplus or find a shared resource. The Office of Research has a listing of equipment, facilities, and services available to our UW research community: Shared Research Facilities & Resources.
- Avoid redundancy: Coordinate equipment purchases at the department or building level to reduce duplicate machines that sit idle. See UW Biology Shared Equipment Recharge Center and ISCRM Shared Equipment models.
Things to Check
- Is your current equipment list up to date? Could it be shared with nearby labs?
- Does your lab have a preventive maintenance plan in place?
- Are there instruments you no longer need that could be repurposed by another lab?