The Environmental and Carbon Impact of Plastics in Scientific Research: Reporting, Accountability and Action

Laboratory plastics are integral to scientific research, offering unmatched convenience, precision, and sterility. However, their environmental cost is increasingly untenable. This chapter examines the carbon footprint and broader environmental impacts of plastic use in scientific laboratories, highlighting the lifecycle emissions associated with production, transport, usage, and disposal. As awareness of the embodied carbon within plastics grows, the urgency to adopt sustainable practices intensifies. Solutions such as reusing materials, transitioning to bioplastics, sustainable procurement practices, and working collaboratively with suppliers to improve product design, offer promising pathways to reduce plastic reliance. By rethinking workflows and engaging stakeholders, laboratories can balance cutting-edge research with environmental stewardship, ensuring science supports both discovery and planetary health.