Sustainability Considerations for Consumables Used in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories

The 6th edition of the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories includes Appendix L on sustainability that describes a series of considerations for biocontainment facilities. But many biosafety practitioners may not be familiar with sustainability options that are available, feasible, and safe for laboratory settings as training in this realm is not common.

With a particular focus on consumable products used in containment laboratory operations, a comparative assessment was made regarding sustainability activities employed in the healthcare setting, where significant advances have been achieved.

Table 1 has been created that describes various consumables that result in waste as part of normal laboratory operations, and the biosafety and infection prevention considerations have been highlighted along with options regarding waste elimination or minimization that have been successfully employed.

Even if a containment laboratory has already been designed, constructed, and is in operation, sustainability opportunities exist for the reduction of environmental impacts without compromising safety.