Measuring Sustainability in the Lab: A Lab Manager's Guide to Sustainability Metrics

2. Usage-related Metrics

Another way to keep track of energy usage by equipment is through metrics that score how often or to what extent the equipment is in appropriate use. For example, a fume hood can use as much energy per day as 3.5 households, but energy usage drops when the sash is closed. To understand whether the sash is appropriately being kept shut when not in use, laboratory managers can use a metric called the fume hood airflow management ratio. This is defined as the ratio of the average flow in cubic feet per minute (cfm) to the minimum flow in cfm when the sash is closed. A higher ratio indicates the hood is kept open more of the time, while a hood that's always closed will have a ratio of 1.

Another heavy energy user is the freezer, which can consume as much energy per day as a single-family home. A freezer that's only 60% full or that's mostly used to store outdated samples no one will ever use isn't making the best use of that energy. Keeping and updating an inventory of samples, evaluating how much of a freezer's space is used, and collaborating with other labs in the building can help you evaluate freezer use and determine whether improvement is necessary.

Cell culture incubators, too, are significant energy users. Process intensification products like the Corning^® HYPERFlask cell culture vessel allow researchers to culture more cells per square inch of incubator shelf space, helping labs ensure that the energy consumed by each incubator goes a long way.

3. Vendor Carbon Footprint

Vendors can vary in their commitment to sustainability. Seeking out vendors that are taking action toward reducing emissions can help your laboratory reduce its overall carbon footprint.

An increasing number of companies are setting emissions targets through the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Under SBTi, emissions are classified as Scope 1 (direct emissions from facilities and vehicles), Scope 2 (emissions from purchased energy), and Scope 3 (indirect emissions associated with the company's purchases and the use of its products) emissions. Finding partners that are actively working toward SBTi goals is an impactful way of increasing your lab's sustainability.

Corning is working toward ambitious sustainability goals through multiple initiatives and partnerships. In 2023, SBTi approved Corning's targets for reducing emissions in Scopes 1, 2, and 3.

4. Waste Production Metrics

Laboratories can conduct a waste audit to understand the volumes of recyclables, hazardous waste, and nonhazardous waste the lab produces in one week, as well as identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve recycling practices.

If a particular product is generating a lot of waste, it may be possible to find an alternative product that's reusable, generates less waste, or comes with less packaging. Some suppliers offer take-back programs for packaging or certain types of waste. It can also be a good idea to ask vendors for information on products made with recycled materials or designed to use fewer materials. All Corning Incorporated manufacturing and laboratory facilities around the world are either ISO 14001 certified or are actively pursuing ISO 14001 certification, a voluntary standard that established criteria for an environmental management system (EMS). This EMS assists companies in continually improving their environmental performance—energy and resource efficiency, reducing waste, etc.—while complying with applicable legislation.