The laboratories will gradually start up their normal activities. Here are some general recommendations to help save resources and generate as little waste as possible:

– PURCHASES: stock only strictly necessary materials so they don’t expire; buy in bulk to reduce the number of deliveries and the amount of packaging; select eco-labelled materials and products as a guarantee of more environmentally friendly products.

– FORMAT OF MATERIALS: especially for consumables or office supplies, select mono-materials for easier recycling; choose large or refillable containers and formats to reduce the number of empties. Remember that materials such as cardboard and glass are easier to recycle than plastic.

– WASTE: reduce waste as much as possible by trying to reuse containers and materials.

– ENERGY: only run cooling and heating systems, electronic equipment, computers, etc., when absolutely necessary. Work with fume hood sashes down and keep doors closed so the hot or cool air doesn’t escape.

– WATER: choose the right water quality for each use and optimise the washing of glassware.

In addition to tips on savings and efficiency in the lab, we can all think about how we can do the same in other aspects of daily life, such as travel, meals, clothing, leisure, etc. Sustainable attitudes affect all areas of life!