Laboratories generate large volumes of nonrecyclable plastic and hazardous waste, which contributes to pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and health risks. Much of this waste is exported to low-income regions, deepening global inequities. Poor disposal practices contaminate air, water, and soil, linking lab waste directly to respiratory diseases, infectious risks, and broader planetary health threats. 

The most impactful approach is preventing waste before it occurs. Labs can switch from single-use plastics to reusable materials such as glassware and metal, purchase products with lower environmental impact, and avoid unnecessary supplies. Waste audits : tracking what is thrown away help identify opportunities to reduce consumption. Choosing refillable or recyclable lab products and sharing equipment between departments can dramatically cut both waste and emissions. You can read more in this paper by here. Another good resource is the waste audit toolkit. 

Simple operational changes can achieve significant reductions. Adjusting ultra-low freezers from –80 °C to –70 °C can save over 30% of energy with no loss in sample integrity. Installing low-flow faucets, turning off unused equipment, closing fume hoods, and using timers all reduce water and electricity demand. Maintaining clear inventories also prevents overcooling or repeated freezer access, improving efficiency while lowering environmental impact.

Diagnostic stewardship ensures tests are ordered only when clinically necessary. Reducing unnecessary cultures and repeat testing lowers the use of plastics, reagents, and transport materials. In some hospitals, targeted stewardship has cut test volumes by more than 30% without any harm to patient outcomes. Fewer unnecessary tests mean less waste, lower emissions, and better use of laboratory resources.