Can you imagine how much waste a 200,000 square foot medical research building using essential, but single-use, plastics could produce?
Researchers often require extra supplies for their research — pipettes, test tubes, petri dishes, flasks, and moren– to ensure they won’t run out mid-study. However, this can lead to a surplus of unused materials. Linda Heneghan, the Building Manager for Lokey Stem Cell Research and a proponent of reducing lab waste, offers an annual reuse event where students and researchers can exchange their leftover supplies to save them from going to the landfill. Many materials like freezer racks, equipment accessories, and general office supplies find new life and purpose through the reuse event. Not only does it help reduce waste, but it can also save money by avoiding the need to buy new, expensive supplies. A win-win!
Looking for other ways to reduce lab waste?
Witness how fellow students, staff, and faculty are creating a wasteless community, and gain inspiration to implement waste-wise practices in your daily decisions.
Stanford has set a new benchmark for sustainability at live events through its first major concert hosted by Stanford Athletics and Stanford Live. Sustainable Stanford hosted a fireside chat with sustainability leadership from Live Nation and Warner Music Group in tandem with this milestone.
From reducing embodied carbon in construction to piloting organic landscape management, the annual Student Sustainability Symposium highlighted how student-led innovation is driving sustainability at Stanford.
Laura Segura Gonzalez, a second-year design student, is leading jean upcycling workshops to combat fast fashion waste, empowering students to transform old jeans into something new.
