Starlab continues its commitment towards the sustainable laboratory

Starlab, the Hamburg based manufacturer of laboratory consumables and equipment continues to showcase their commitment to promoting sustainability in science. Following their recent Europe-wide webinar series - ‘Towards the sustainable laboratory’ - held over the first two weeks of June, we learn why the journey to sustainable science continues, and what Starlab has achieved so far.

The journey

Starlab knows there is a still a way to go on the road towards the sustainable laboratory. Due to the nature of lab work, a workable alternative for clean, convenient single-use plastics is yet to be found. As a manufacturer of plastic laboratory consumables, you may ask how sustainability can be a serious topic for them, but Starlab has, and continues, to take steps to reduce, reuse and recycle, with the aim be a role model within the industry.

Why labs are so ‘eco-unfriendly’

It is no secret that most laboratories consume significant amounts of energy and water, as well as produce a huge amount of waste, especially plastic waste. While various steps to help reduce energy and water use can be made through good laboratory practices, reducing the volume of single-use plastic is where Starlab really comes into its own. Committed to the 3Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle, Starlab continues to make steps in this area. What might not be so obvious is that the 2015 redesign of Starlab’s renowned TipOne pipette tip system was not just a make-over, it incorporated long-term sustainability goals.

Reducing the use of natural resources

With their expertise in injection moulding processes, Starlab was able to redesign components of the TipOne system so less plastic is needed for manufacture, without compromise to product quality or performance. The introduction of a sterile refill also provides users with a convenient and safe, plastic-saving alternative to racked sterile tips.

Reuse before recycling

The TipOne system is designed around a reusable tip rack. To provide the widest reusability, there are only two sizes of rack in the system, which allows the same rack to be used for a wide range of tip volumes, thus cutting down on inventory in the lab.  Reusing the racks with the refills can save up to 63% plastic compared to buying racked tips. Better still, the plastic packaging shells in which TipOne refills are shipped are made with 100% recycled plastic, thereby saving the reliance on natural resources.

Not all recycling is equal!

The end material for reuse is only as good as the material being put in. TipOne components are made of high-quality polypropylene so when recycled, it can be reused to make high-quality products.

Promoting a sustainable laboratory culture

As well as the 3Rs, Starlab encourages developing a culture of sustainability within labs. Embedding green initiatives, however big or small, into the core values of a laboratory will contribute to long-term environmental benefits, which can often result in cost savings too! Starlab engages their customers during Starlab Sustainability Week, an annual event each Autum, where they showcase their most sustainable products and promote and discuss green initiatives in the lab.  

Sustainability Webinars

If you missed Starlab’s recent webinar series on sustainability in the lab, further sessions will be held during Sustainability Week, 14 – 25 October.