On September 25, 2025, Future Fields hosted Sustain Labs, a first-of-kind local lab sustainability event. It was incredible to bring a like-minded community together with one goal: to explore ways to make lab research more sustainable.
Throughout the evening, we dove into a wide range of topics, sharing practical ways to make an impactful difference in lab sustainability. This included simple changes like waste segregation and recycling lab materials, to more complex issues such as optimizing energy with lab equipment and reducing plastic consumption.
We were thrilled to hear that 94% of attendees walked away feeling ready to take action. We hope this spark continues to grow, and that scientists, lab managers, and working individuals alike are empowered to implement more sustainable practices in their respective spaces.
To support those taking their first steps in improving lab sustainability, we recapped some of the insights shared during the event. Read on for the importance of a sustainable lab culture as well as a shortlist of useful resources to start your journey.
What is sustainability culture and why is it important?
A sustainable lab culture is more than just recycling or shutting off equipment–it is a collective mindset within the team and a shared initiative of minimizing the environmental impact of research work. This is important because labs are resource-intensive environments, often consuming large amounts of energy to power equipment, generating large amounts of plastic use, and producing chemical waste that requires careful disposal. A lack of conscious and coordinated effort can contribute to significant environmental impacts.
Cultivating a sustainability culture starts with small, intentional steps. It requires fostering an environment where new ideas are openly shared, small wins are celebrated, and where continuous learning and improvement is embraced. By encouraging greener methods, whether that be through more sustainable procurement strategies for obtaining materials, optimizing protocols to reduce waste, or reusing resources when necessary, teams create opportunities for small, everyday changes. When every team member is empowered to contribute, sustainable practices become a natural part of the lab routine, leading to impactful and lasting change.
At Future Fields, sustainability is woven into the very fabric of our mission; much of this is operationalized and championed by our Sustainability Committee. If you have an idea for sustainable change, we encourage you to involve your colleagues or fellow lab mates to foster a culture of sustainability.
Tips and resources to help with your sustainability journey
As you build your sustainability culture, you may require some practical tools, frameworks, and opportunities for engagement. Below is a shortlist of tips, resources, and actionable steps to help you progress toward a more sustainable future.
1. Start with reducing waste.
Reduce, reuse, recycle is a classic sustainability phrase for a reason. Consider first how to reduce the amount of waste being produced. If it cannot be helped that certain waste is produced, consider how it can be reused before putting it into recycling streams. If it needs to be disposed of, sort it accordingly to ensure it is properly taken care of.
2. Communicate the value.
At times, sustainable initiatives can be met with resistance. For those who struggle to see the value behind the environmental aspect, communicate how this change can lead to economic benefits and improved safety. Some research may be required to see what applies to your unique situation. A good general starting point are the tools, guides, and certifications through My Green Lab.
3. Assess your suppliers.
Take steps in adopting a sustainable procurement strategy by assessing your current suppliers. Do they offer sustainable options? Do they have an ACT Ecolabel? Are they actually taking sustainability seriously or is it a greenwashing play? Contact your suppliers to get a better sense of their sustainability committments and see what options and prices are available.
4. Join a community.
Sustainability cannot be tackled alone! Connecting with like-minded individuals to share insights may provide solutions to your challenges and encouragement to your team. In Edmonton, there are local groups such as Net Impact, Sustain YEG, Green Drinks, and University of Alberta Green Labs. Globally, there are groups such as the My Green Lab Ambassador Program. Find a community that suits you, attend their events, and develop relationships—who knows? Your fellow sustainability partners may be one meet-up away.
Your efforts matter
Building a sustainable culture is not an easy feat. We encourage scientists to take strategies and put them to practice in one’s daily work. More importantly, share what you learn! One of the most important aspects to sustainability is inspiring colleagues to adopt the same mindset, creating a ripple effect that inspires more people to embrace sustainable practices beyond our reach. Taking care of our planet and its people takes a village.