Feng Shui & Sustainability: How Workplace Design Impacts GC Lab Practices

Sustainability in the lab sounds like something to strive for. But what does it actually mean?

Sustainability has dual definitions: one related to environmental efforts and one focused on business strategy. A previous blog discussed sustainable environmental efforts in the Gas Chromatography (GC) lab covering improved energy efficiency, reduced carrier gas usage, and reduced operational costs.

The physical space of the lab can be used to help minimize the impact the lab has on natural resources while improving profitability and decreasing costs.

GC labs must be ready to pivot and support future advances in technology. One way to achieve this goal is to be designed for flexibility and adaptability.

Here are some key elements that help improve the sustainability of the GC lab:

1. Small footprint of instrumentation allowing more benchtop space. The GC 2400 Platform provides comprehensive set-up with a small footprint and saves valuable bench space with its reduced size.
2. Efficient economies of space triggered by elements of the analytical set-up that are sharable. For example, the AS 2400 Liquid Sampler allows easy reconfiguration on different GC Systems, with capabilities that grow as business demands grow.
3. Flexible work-from-home and hybrid work scenarios are easily accomplished when the laboratory is digitally enabled, and workflows are automated. Laboratories that are able to remotely run, monitor, and control their workflows via smart devices and web apps have more flexibility in the use of lab space as well as accelerated, on-the-go decision making.

For instance, the GC 2400 Platform has a detachable touchscreen that can be used to remotely monitor and control workflows, including instruments, from any location in the lab.

4. The careful and judicious use of resources is also vital to creating a sustainable GC lab. Updating practices to reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible, establishing a waste management system and taking proper care of equipment will improve sustainability and profitability.

Implementing a sustainable approach can support lab efficiency and ensure room for expansion as the lab grows and thrives. Download the full story to learn more.