Greening of the Lab

1The Next Frontier for Laboratories - Going GreenJoseph LopezAssociate Professor and Head, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences,MAHSA UniversityKuala Lumpur

13th APFCB Congress, Bali, 28 Oct 20132Objective of this talkTo create an awareness of the environmental impact of clinical laboratories3Laboratory

Human activityGreenhouse gasesGlobal warming and climate changeLabs have a societal responsibility to reduce the environmental consequences of their activities4

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Sept 2012; 50(9):1559-645Content Causes of global warmingEvidence for global warmingWhy labs are a source of global warmingEnvironmental policy for labsGuidelines for good environmental practices

6Causes of Global Warming

7Greenhouse GasesGreenhouse gases cause global warming Notably:carbon dioxide ~80% methane nitrous oxidefluorinated gases

Greenhouse gases trap the sun's rays within the Earth's atmosphere

Sources of greenhouse gases:energy production, deforestation, agriculture waste disposal http://www.whatsyourimpact.eu.org/main-greenhouse-gases.php

8Energy and Greenhouse Gaseshttp://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts/climate-change-impacts-by-sector/energy-supply-and-use http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-causes/Production and use of energy is the primary cause of global warmingEnergy productionCO2Global warming9

Evidence that atmospheric CO2 has increased since the Industrial Revolution (Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA) http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/10Is Global Warming Happening?Earth has been warming for 100 years

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007, the reported that 11 of the 12 warmest years since 1850 occurred between 1995 and 2006 http://www.edf.org/climate/global-warming-factshttp://www.edf.org/climate/how-we-know-the-earth-is-warmingThere is scientific consensus on the basic facts of global warmingThe most respected scientific bodies have stated that:global warming is occurring people are causing itThere is scientific consensus on the basic facts of global warmingThe most respected scientific bodies have stated that:global warming is occurring2.people are causing it11

Temperature records since 1850 show:warming of the Earth over the past century particularly rapid heating over the past few decadeshttp://www.edf.org/climate/how-we-know-the-earth-is-warmingGlobal Temperature, 1850-200012Impacts from Rising Temperatures Floods and droughts more common

Less fresh water available

Rising sea levels

Climate change

Ocean acidification

Changes in ecosystem13Shrinking ice sheetsGlobal warming has effect on the worlds ice masses such as: mountain glaciers ice sheets covering West Antarctica and Greenland, Arctic sea ice http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

Flowing meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet 14Shrinking ice sheetsThe Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have decreased in mass.

Greenland and Antarctica decreased at least 150 cubic kilometers a year since 2002 and 2006 http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

Flowing meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet 15

Source: Economist, June 16-22, 2012Summertime sea ice cover over the Arctic Ocean is also declining, and in some areas this ice cover is thinning rapidly. Ice is melting worldwide, especially at the Earths poles. 16

http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/files/2012/06/Figure3.pngThe National Snow and Ice Data CenterAdvancing knowledge of Earth's frozen regions449 UCBUniversity of ColoradoBoulder, CO 80309-044917

Arctic sea ice has plummeted to its lowest levels ever this year (2012) Photgraph: Steven J Kazlowski/Alamy; Source: Guardian 28 June 2012

Source:Guardian18

Source: Economist, June 16-22, 2012

Source: Economist, June 16-22 2012

Source: Daily Telegraph, 19 Nov 2009 19

191219381958Denver Glacier in Recession http://nsidc.org/news/press/day_after/q2.htmlGlacial retreatMost mountain glacier regions are in decline.

Glaciers are retreating in the Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa

20Rise of Sea Level, 1860-2008Global sea level rose about 17 cm (6.7 in.) in the last century.

However, the rate in the last decade is nearly double that of the last century.

http://www.edf.org/climate/how-we-know-the-earth-is-warming21Ocean acidificationIncreased human activity has increased CO2 emissions into the atmosphere which is absorbed into the oceans.

Since start of the Industrial Revolution, the acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by about 30%.

http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/22Changes in EcosystemsAdlie penguins on Antarctica: from 32,000 breeding pairs to 11,000 in 30 years.

Some butterflies, foxes, and alpine plants have moved farther north or to higher, cooler areas.

Polar bears: since the mid-1980s, polar bears have gotten considerably skinnier, with less ice on which to live and fish for food If sea ice disappears, the polar bears may as well.

Some diseases will spread, such as malaria carried by mosquitoes

Source for climate information: IPCC, 2007

23Energy Consumption of Laboratories24Global Medical Labs MarketGlobal Medical Laboratories Market to Reach US$102 Billion by 2018 (Global Industry Analysts, Inc.)

http://www.prweb.com/releases/medical_laboratories/clinical_laboratories/prweb9693406.htm (accessesd 3 Nov 2012)25Energy Usage of LaboratoriesLabs are energy intensive

Labs use 5 to 10 times more energy per square foot than an average office buildingUS EPA states that Labs can reduce energy use by 30 to 50%26Guidelines to reduce environmental impact27Survey of IFCC members on the mitigation of the environmental impact of laboratories December- January 2010QuestionYesNoDont knowBesides proper waste disposal, are you aware of clinical laboratories in your country that have Action Plans to reduce their environmental impact by way of reduced power and water usage, reduced utilization of plastics, chemicals and paper, greater recycling of material, reduced use of fuels, encouraging staff to use less energy, etc.11164Have clinical labs in your country addressed the issue of carbon footprints of laboratories? 3216Do you think that it would be helpful if the IFCC provided some basic guidelines to clinical laboratories on how they could reduce their carbon footprint2902Are you aware of ISO14000 standards and what they relate to?1417-Do you know of any clinical laboratories in your country that have received ISO14000 certification?2209 28COMMITMENTEnvironmental policyAnnounceEnvironmental POLICYSupport of senior managementInitial costs offset by long term savings

29Elements of an Environmental PolicyCorporate Social Responsibility to include responsibility on stewardship of the environment

Minimise / eliminate activities which impact environmental

Minimise consumption

Reduce waste through the reduction, reuse or recycling of materials.

Implement good waste management systems for pathology waste

Review environmental practices at least annually.

Commitment to heighten environmental awarenessProvide staff education Advocacy: encourage customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to mirror commitment to environmental responsibility. 30Preliminary environmental reviewAction PlanTarget settingCreate awarenessTrainng Available legislationAuditsDocumentation

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Environmental Management SystemPlan DoCheckActContinuousimprovement32EMSISO 14001QMSISO 15189Integration of EMS with QMS Principles, procedures for EMS and QMS are same

EMS and QMS should be integrated 33

Staff TrainingReward workable ideas Ways of reducing environmental impactIdentify areas of waste reductionRaise awareness

34Lab Environmental ManagerAppoint a Lab Environmental Manager to be in-charge of the EMS Initially, an existing staff memberShould work closely with QMS manager

353Rs Reduce, Reuse, Recyclemain pillars of efforts for environmental improvement

Each activity to mitigate environmental impact will come under one or more of these headings. 36Reuse Reuse as much as possible before replacing Replace as far as is possible, with reusable items. Recycle ensure items/components are put to new purpose as much as possible recycling program should be financially soundReduce consumption of energy, natural resources and unsafe products. 3Rs Reduce, Reuse, Recycle37Some Proposals for Mitigation of Environmental Impact38Green purchasing policyPurchase goods, services:that minimize negative environmental impactsFrom suppliers who share labs commitment to environment

ManufacturingDisposalRecyclable productsLocally produced (where possible)Recycled productsPackagingLess toxicTransportationOrdering patterns39Equipment selectionFactor in the environmental impact of the equipment at evaluation

Purchase energy-efficient equipment

Priority to equipment with a lesser environmental footprint in regard to: Water consumption. air-conditioning or heating requirements40Reagent selectionWhere possible useAlternatives to reagents with harmful ingredients.

Use smaller test kits - less packaging which require less refrigeration

Locally produced reagents - smaller carbon footprint when transported

41Packaging wastesPersuade disposal contractors to provide reusable containers for the disposal of laboratory sharpes.

May be achieved by the use of Stericycle bio boxes (in USA)

A pilot study at Harvard Medical School saved 2,026 lbs of plastic from reusable sharp bins.

Sharps Disposal Container for Stericycle42Packaging wastes Where possible negotiate with vendors to:Use less packaging use biodegradable or recyclable packaging take back packaging for reuse. Labs produce large amounts of solid wastes should reduce solid waste volume Labs may reuse packaging boxes for sending out items

43Laboratory furnitureWhere possible purchase:used or reusable laboratory furniture environmentally-friendly furniture.

Thermo Scientific Hamilton Distinction II Adaptable Laboratory Furniture System. Constructed from environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes44Reducing energy usage and wastageLaboratories consume more energy per square foot, often x5 as much compared with non-laboratory buildings such as offices.

Clean-rooms: consumption can be is 10-100-times higher. 45Lighting in LabsLighting in laboratories is up to x2 that of a typical office space.

Lighting energy use typically accounts for 8% to 25% of total electricity use

Use LED lightinghttp://www.i2sl.org/documents/toolkit/bp_lighting_508.pdf, accessed 3 Nov 2012

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Source: http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~epsgreen/labs.htmlFume HoodsUse enormous amounts of energy

Typical fume hood (USA) that runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year uses X3.5 more energy than the average house.

New models allow significant energy reduction.

47Recycling of SolventsRecycling of solvents Xylene, alcohol, formalin by CBG Biotech Supreme Solvent Recycler

90-95% recovery

Cost-savingsXylene, alcohol benchtop recycler;10 L CBG model

*Courtesey, Badrick T, Sullivan Nicolaides, Australia48Good PracticesDaily end of day lab and office walk-throughs - to manually close lights equipment, instruments.

Chiller/heat temperature and humidity controls - adjust according to the seasonal demands.

Analytical equipment and processes: shut down when not in use

Regular equipment maintenance

Consolidate equipment and instruments of different units of the laboratory where feasible. 49Transportation

Vehicles select fuel-efficient fleet vehicles review routes and usageStaff encourage and provide incentives to laboratory staff to use public transport or bicycles

50ReductionReduction of test numbers audits of tests requested and their usefulness to identity unnecessary requests Reduction in the use of collection tubes Reuse of specimen collection bags Paper management to reduce usageWaste reduction Water Usage 51Paper UsageReduce, Reuse, Recycle Reduce: introduction of paperless systems; Introduction of non-paper options where possible

Reuse: Print and photocopy double-sided

Recycle

Paper usage audits

52Clean WaterDeionised water Consider resin technologies instead of Reverse Osmosis systems, since the latter are wasteful of water and energy.

Perform an audit of water usage and look for ways to reduce water usage

53Environmentally-friendly buildingsThe Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) - an internationally recognized green building certification system

The LEED standard has been adopted in the USA as the industry standard of measurement for green buildings

Such buildings: use environmentally preferable materials reuse building materials Achieve energy reduction through modifications and operational changes have improved water-usage efficiency and waste handling

54Advocacy - Influencing othersStaff: engage in carbon-offsetting activities

Vendors: Contractual conditions on vendors to be more environmentally friendly in dealings with the laboratoryto supply instruments that consume less energy, water and produce less waste. powered reagents requiring reconstitution - leaves a smaller carbon footprint when transported

55What we need to doMake a commitment

Reduce disposables: Wash and reuse use less plastics

Reduce energy consumption

Buy: powdered reagents reconstituted at point of usage chemicals in reusable/returnable containersTake back packagingInstruments that consume less energy, water

Remember: Cost savings in good environmental practices

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Thank you