Laboratories are vital hubs of scientific discovery and innovation but come with a significant environmental cost. They typically use ten times more energy per square foot than standard office spaces and can consume millions of litres of water annually. Additionally, labs generate approximately 5.5 billion kg of plastic waste globally each year. As the scientific community acknowledges its environmental responsibilities, there is a pressing need for tools and initiatives to mitigate these impacts and promote sustainability in lab practices.
Addressing this challenge requires a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impact of laboratory operations and the products used. The ACT (Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency) Environmental Impact Factor Label, developed by My Green Lab, aims to provide objective, third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products. This Ecolabel enables organisations to make informed decisions that align with their sustainability goals.
The ACT label evaluates laboratory products based on several criteria reflecting their environmental impact:
- Manufacturing Processes: Sustainability of how products are made.
- Energy and Water Consumption: Resource use during a product’s lifecycle.
- Packaging Materials and Methods: Environmental friendliness of packaging.
- End-of-Life Considerations: Disposal or recycling options for products.
This comprehensive assessment empowers laboratory professionals to compare products within a category before purchasing or to evaluate the impact of currently used products by assessing their scores. Since its launch in 2017, the ACT programme has grown significantly, expanding into markets across the USA, EU, and UK. As of late 2024, over 1,100 products from 36 manufacturers have undergone the ACT certification process, reflecting a growing recognition of sustainability’s importance in the scientific community.
By providing transparent information about the environmental impact of lab products, the ACT label empowers laboratories to make sustainable choices. Such tools not only support individual laboratories in their sustainability efforts but also contribute to the broader goal of minimising the environmental impact of scientific research. For more information about the ACT programme and its benefits, please visit the ACT website or contact us at act@mygreenlab.org.
