Images of melting ice caps, devastating forest fires and beaches overrun by plastic touched lab analyst Esmee Kasteleijn (27) deeply. She decided to join the Green Team Biomedical Sciences. This group of researchers from different labs is committed to a common mission: to reduce the ecological footprint of labs.
Biomedical labs worldwide produce some 5.5 million tonnes of plastic waste every year. The Green Team therefore set a goal to recycle as much lab plastic as possible. In 2022, they achieved their first success: hard and soft plastics have been collected since June that year. ‘I am very happy that our pipette trays, packaging films and jerry cans now get a second life,’ says Esmee.
Biodegradable material
Although the first recycling steps have been taken, Esmee says the Green Team is determined to further reduce waste in the coming years. ‘Fortunately, more and more is possible in that area. Whereas before we could only recycle soft plastics, we can now do so with hard plastics, cans and drink cartons. It would be nice if in the future we could also recycle our disposable gloves, for example.’
Besides recycling, the Green Team also looks at sustainable choices when buying lab materials. Esmee explains: ‘Nowadays, we get our buffer liquid delivered in smaller jars, which we then dilute at the lab. This results in less waste and is more sustainable in terms of transport. Moreover, we are opting more often for biodegradable material, for example in the small tubes we use to store samples.’
Energy consumption in the lab is also being addressed. Esmee: ‘We turn off devices when they are not in use, and on many labs in the research tower the freezers have gone from -80 to -70 degrees where possible.’
Public transport to congress
There are no less than 14 different labs at Erasmus MC, so getting everyone on the sustainable tour can be a challenge, according to Esmee. That is why the Green Team introduced a special award system. Departments can earn a bronze, silver or gold award for their sustainability efforts. For example, they can collect points by making sustainable purchases, cleaning appliances regularly, dealing with waste sustainably, or travelling to conferences by public transport,’ says the lab specialist.
To further promote sustainability, the Green Team also organises various activities, including a movie night in the lecture hall. Esmee: ‘We watch, over a pizza, a documentary on sustainability. Although the documentary usually doesn’t cheer me up, on such evenings it gives me hope to see how many people are working for a more sustainable world.’
‘There are more people involved in sustainability than you think’
Esmee advises others who want to make their work more sustainable to start small. ‘Look at what ends up in the waste bin or what your biggest energy consumer is. That knowledge can get you a long way.’ She also advises everyone to find supporters among colleagues. There are often more people involved in sustainability than you think. Together you achieve more, and it is also a lot more sociable,’ she concludes.
