Reducing environmental impacts of marine biotoxin monitoring: A laboratory report

Laboratories globally contribute significantly to consumption of resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and generation waste. Shellfish destined for human are required be tested the presence regulated marine biotoxins, that can harmful health. Whilst running national monitoring program detection biotoxins in shellfish, efforts were made increase resource efficiencies by reducing waste energy leading reduced environmental financial costs. Methods verified allow transitions more sustainable environmentally-friendly consumables, replacing plastics with paperboard glass alternatives, a reduction single-use 69%. A shift polystyrene recycling composting non-toxic shellfish led an overall non-chemical >95%. Adoption green analytical chemistry principles procurement preparation chemical solutions hazardous ~23%. further printing (~81%) was achieved transitioning digital document control. Strategies reduce through ‘switch off’ campaigns improved fume hood cold storage equipment management also implemented. Fume 30%. The strategies implemented could adopted other laboratories e.g., research dealing pharmaceutical, biological, samples.