Replace

• Replace single-use plastic with glass or autoclavable plastic whenever possible.  ¹

• Switch toxic chemicals to less toxic ones with the same properties whenever possible. ²

• Be aware of alternatives that are coming on the market. Some suppliers offer greener alternatives for chemicals/solvents (renewable source, green extraction process, or degradation properties). ³

• Invest in a CCD camera to replace autoradiographic films and polluting-developing solutions. [GE, Biorad, Applied biosystems]

• Prepare your own culture medium/buffer from powder/tablets to reduce waste and save storage space.

• Prepare your own gels to save single-use plastics. These are more versatile and this way you will considerably reduce costs!

• Choose "flexible" kits, with which you can order the buffers separately and avoid waste [e.g. NEB, MN]. 

• For reactions in the dark, replace aluminium foil with an opaque box.

In the office

• Prefer an electronic lab notebook.

• Consider using an erasable notepad and/or a perpetual calendar [e.g. WhyNote, infinite book, RocketBook].

• Go back to the good old-fashioned Italian coffee maker or, alternatively, choose reusable coffee capsules. Using your mug is so much nicer than a plastic cup.

• You can use your mug even on coffee machines - think about it!

• Have a fountain connected to the drinking water network and avoid using plastic bottled water. Get your own reusable water bottle.