Article in Partnership with Le Labo Durable

Ecological awareness increasingly influences our life choices and habits, but in the scientific sector, environmental impact remains a sensitive topic. For a long time, laboratories were seen as spaces of progress and innovation, handling small amounts of materials to support research and production. The focus was on fostering discovery and delivering analytical results without necessarily considering their ecological footprint. As a result, little effort has been made to identify environmental hotspots, let alone develop solutions to reduce their impact.

To address this challenge, Le Labo Durable was founded in 2021 by three engineer-PhDs. Their mission: to support laboratories in making the transition to sustainability. Over the past three years, they have created tools to monitor environmental performance indicators and conducted research to establish the databases needed to identify the specific environmental hotspots of each laboratory.

“Everything is measured, evaluated, and made transparent: no greenwashing. A lab will never be zero-carbon in the physical sense—it’s important to be honest! This honesty is what connects us with the clients we work with.”
Bastien Raccary

A Changing Situation, Thankfully!

In recent years, environmental issues have gained momentum. According to Le Labo Durable, the 2022 drought in France marked a turning point. Media coverage of environmental concerns increased significantly, which had a direct impact on their activities.

«Since then, we’ve been overwhelmed with inquiries! We’ve also noticed a real shift in how people talk about this topic. A few years ago, terms like ‘carbon footprint’ and ‘environmental impact’ were used interchangeably, and people relied on unofficial tools and indicators, often causing more harm than good.»
Bastien Raccary

Today, scientific organizations can no longer ignore sustainability. They face increasing demands for CSR compliance, CSRD accounting, supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs, and more. This has led more managers and directors to request structured actions based on Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)—and that’s a good thing!

But What Are the Critical Points?

The most common question they get is: “What are the main sources of CO₂ emissions in laboratories, and how can I reduce them?” Naturally, people want simple answers. But the reality is more complex.

"Our initial assumptions were similar to those of any environmentally conscious chemist: we thought solvents, consumables, and waste were the critical points. This makes sense, as these are central to discussions about ‘green analytical chemistry.’ However, the reality of a laboratory includes less tangible flows and interactions with various suppliers and stakeholders."

According to Bastien Raccary, unlearning is key: “We’ve always been taught that methanol is more toxic than acetonitrile based on safety labels. But these evaluations only cover the use phase. If you consider the entire life cycle—including the impact on people involved in solvent production—the conclusion can be quite different, even the opposite.”

Taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture is essential. This means tracking purchase data, understanding supply chains, and monitoring electricity, water, and gas consumption. To this end, Le Labo Durable developed Consolab, a tool that provides laboratories with a “health journal” to track progress on their environmental performance.

So, What Can Be Done?

Each laboratory is unique, but certain practices can be applied universally.

• Equipment with an Opaque Footprint
  ‍One major issue is the purchase of laboratory equipment. Analytical chemistry relies heavily on instrumentation, yet there is almost no life cycle data available for these tools.
  ‍“Today, you can find the environmental score of a t-shirt on Decathlon’s website, but not for an instrument critical to scientific activities. This needs to change. Clients now request LCAs for equipment in their tenders, but often get vague or incomplete responses.”
  To address this, Le Labo Durable assists clients in requesting environmental data when purchasing equipment. Over the past five years, they’ve been building a database by dismantling and conducting life cycle analyses of laboratory equipment.The same principle applies to consumables. A solvent’s impact depends on its production process, origin, and even the type of transport used to deliver it to the lab.

• Training Teams: An Underrated Lever
  Changing laboratory habits requires informed and motivated teams.
  ‍"We see real engagement from teams when concrete commitments are made."
  Operators want clear tools and actions, while managers need reliable reporting systems to validate the actions taken. While tools like the Climate Fresk are a good starting point, they are insufficient for addressing the specific challenges faced by scientists. That’s why Le Labo Durable invested significant time in developing modular training tailored to different audiences.
  ‍“By addressing the specific needs of each profession, we’ve created content that makes action tangible and brings positive changes to participants’ daily lives.”

• Waste: Reduce Before ManagingProper waste management is now considered the bare minimum. However, a purely reactive approach isn’t enough; prevention is key. For example, instead of placing multiple orders for the same product, Le Labo Durable encourages nearby laboratories to pool their orders, reducing packaging waste.

And in the Future?

While awareness of environmental issues is growing, much work remains. Laboratories are increasingly showcasing their sustainability efforts, driven by marketing pressures and external constraints. For example, projections of shortages in the metals used for analytical instruments highlight the importance of reconditioned equipment, extending the lifespan of tools, and adopting circular economy practices.

However, surface-level adjustments aren’t enough. Structural changes and collective willpower are needed to go beyond superficial fixes. The European Commission’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) initiative could provide a harmonized framework for evaluating the environmental impact of scientific activities. In this context, LCAs play a crucial role. They offer laboratories a way to measure the consequences of their choices and adjust accordingly. But LCAs are only the starting point. The real challenge lies in turning their findings into actionable, long-term strategies.

With critical milestones like 2030 and 2035 approaching fast, laboratories face significant challenges. Even the most detached executives must now take these issues seriously, as the survival of their activities depends on it. Ignoring or downplaying these challenges is no longer an option—it’s a professional failing.

"In the near future, having the latest machine and the flashiest lab will no longer matter. The lab of the future is the sustainable lab! It’s the one that delivers reliable results for society, with full control over its resources."
Bastien Raccary

The road is long, and old habits die hard. But progress is underway.