Difference between revisions of "Instruction:F8c5c27a-a74e-4625-bee4-b5dcd526997d"
From The Embassy of Good Science
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| − | |Is About=Laboratories play a pivotal role in advancing science. However, they’re also significant sources of plastic waste, thereby contributing heavily to global plastic pollution. In 2015, a study estimated the amount of plastic waste produced in bioscience labs worldwide at 5.5 million tons. Given the essential role of plastic products in wet-lab research, avoiding their use altogether may not be a practical option. Alternatively, plastic used in the lab can be recycled. This micromodule explores practical actions for reducing, managing, and recycling plastic waste in research environments. Whether you are a student, researcher or lab technician, you will gain actionable insights to make your workspace cleaner, greener, and more sustainable. | + | |Is About=Laboratories play a pivotal role in advancing science. However, they’re also significant sources of plastic waste, thereby contributing heavily to global plastic pollution. In 2015, a study estimated the amount of plastic waste produced in bioscience labs worldwide at 5.5 million tons (Urbina et al. 2015. ''Labs should cut plastic waste too''. Nature). Given the essential role of plastic products in wet-lab research, avoiding their use altogether may not be a practical option. Alternatively, plastic used in the lab can be recycled. This micromodule explores practical actions for reducing, managing, and recycling plastic waste in research environments. Whether you are a student, researcher or lab technician, you will gain actionable insights to make your workspace cleaner, greener, and more sustainable. |
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|Instruction Step Title=Explore how to tackle the plastic waste problem in the lab | |Instruction Step Title=Explore how to tackle the plastic waste problem in the lab | ||
| − | |Instruction Step Text=Laboratories consume a huge amount of plastic, the majority of which is single use, and not recycled. Green Labs Austria presents the problem of plastic waste from labs and gives guidelines on where to start in addressing the problem in a lab. Through a background study, they evaluate what plastic materials can be recycled, which ones can be replaced and how can plastic materials be recycled for greener labs. | + | |Instruction Step Text=Laboratories consume a huge amount of plastic, the majority of which is single use, and not recycled. Green Labs Austria presents the problem of plastic waste from labs and gives guidelines on where to start in addressing the problem in a lab (Green Labs Austria, 2024. ''Pioneering sustainability in scientific research.'' ''MIT Science Policy Review''). Through a background study, they evaluate what plastic materials can be recycled, which ones can be replaced and how can plastic materials be recycled for greener labs ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aojnkoh4fPA Tackling the plastic problem in the lab]). |
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'''To learn more about these categories, match the types of plastic with their descriptions'''. | '''To learn more about these categories, match the types of plastic with their descriptions'''. | ||
|Instruction Step Interactive Content=Resource:H5P-473 | |Instruction Step Interactive Content=Resource:H5P-473 | ||
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| + | |Instruction Step Title=Sorting plastics smarter: Recyclable vs Replaceable | ||
| + | |Instruction Step Text=In this activity, you’ll explore common laboratory plastic items and decide whether they are recyclable or replaceable. If replaceable, you will see sustainable alternatives. | ||
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{{Instruction Remarks Trainee}} | {{Instruction Remarks Trainee}} | ||
Revision as of 08:52, 2 December 2025
ModulesFrom waste to wisdom: rethinking plastic waste management in the lab
Instructions for:TraineeTrainer
Related Initiative
Goal
The primary learning objective of this micromodule is to:
- Enhance understanding of the role and importance of plastic waste recycling for a green and sustainable lab.
Secondary learning objectives include:
- Familiarize students, researchers, and lab managers with the different types of plastic materials in a lab.
- Explore actionable steps for managing and recycling plastics in a lab.
- Reflect on the challenges of developing a recycling pipeline for plastic waste in a lab.
Duration (hours)
0.75
For whom is this important?
Method
What is this about?
Laboratories play a pivotal role in advancing science. However, they’re also significant sources of plastic waste, thereby contributing heavily to global plastic pollution. In 2015, a study estimated the amount of plastic waste produced in bioscience labs worldwide at 5.5 million tons (Urbina et al. 2015. Labs should cut plastic waste too. Nature). Given the essential role of plastic products in wet-lab research, avoiding their use altogether may not be a practical option. Alternatively, plastic used in the lab can be recycled. This micromodule explores practical actions for reducing, managing, and recycling plastic waste in research environments. Whether you are a student, researcher or lab technician, you will gain actionable insights to make your workspace cleaner, greener, and more sustainable.
1
Explore how to tackle the plastic waste problem in the lab
Laboratories consume a huge amount of plastic, the majority of which is single use, and not recycled. Green Labs Austria presents the problem of plastic waste from labs and gives guidelines on where to start in addressing the problem in a lab (Green Labs Austria, 2024. Pioneering sustainability in scientific research. MIT Science Policy Review). Through a background study, they evaluate what plastic materials can be recycled, which ones can be replaced and how can plastic materials be recycled for greener labs (Tackling the plastic problem in the lab).
2
Learn about the different types of plastic
Plastic is classified into seven main categories, each defined primarily by its distinct chemical properties.
3
Sorting plastics smarter: Recyclable vs Replaceable
In this activity, you’ll explore common laboratory plastic items and decide whether they are recyclable or replaceable. If replaceable, you will see sustainable alternatives.
Steps
