Overview: Key Sustainability and Optimisation Trends
Laboratories worldwide are implementing innovations in equipment, workflows, and management to reduce their environmental footprint. Check out our summary of ten leading trends that F&B testing labs are focusing on in 2025 to become greener and more efficient:
1. Green Lab Certifications & Standards
Adopting frameworks like My Green Lab Certification and LEAF to formalise sustainable practices, guided by global benchmarks. Builds a culture of continual improvement and accountability in lab sustainability efforts.
2. Energy-Efficient Lab Operations
Upgrading to energy-saving instruments and infrastructure (efficient freezers, fume hoods, etc.), and using smart energy management. Cuts power usage and often lowers costs, aligning labs with carbon reduction goals.
3. Waste Reduction & Circular Practices
Minimising single-use plastics and hazardous waste via reuse, recycling programs, and better waste segregation. Incorporating circular economy initiatives (e.g. recycling filtration plastics) to divert lab waste from landfills.
4. Green Analytical Methods
Implementing green chemistry principles in testing – e.g. using safer solvents (water, supercritical CO₂), smaller sample volumes, and methods that generate less waste. Reduces chemical use and exposure while maintaining analytical rigor.
5. Automation & Robotics
Deploying automated systems and robotics to streamline sample handling, processing, and analysis. Increases throughput and precision, reduces human error and repeat tests, and often uses smaller reagent volumes, thereby reducing waste.
6. Digitalisation & Paperless Workflows
Using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), electronic notebooks, and digital reports to replace paper and improve data efficiency. Prevents unnecessary repetition of tests (through better data sharing), and reduces paper and printing waste.
7. Lean & Efficient Processes
Optimising workflows (e.g. shorter chromatographic run times, smarter sample prep) and maintaining equipment proactively. Improves throughput and quality while cutting down on consumables, solvents, and energy per test.
8. Sustainable Lab Culture & Training
Fostering a culture of sustainability through staff education and initiatives (e.g. “Green Lab” teams, shutting fume hood sashes, raising freezer temps). Engages personnel to adopt everyday practices that save energy and reduce waste.
9. Green Procurement & Supply Chain
Prioritising vendors and supplies that meet sustainability criteria. For example, buying products with the ACT environmental label or recycled content, and holding suppliers to sustainability codes of conduct. Reduces upstream (Scope 3) environmental impacts.
10. Emerging Sustainable Technologies
Exploring novel solutions like IoT sensors for resource monitoring, AIdriven lab management, biodegradable labware, and portable or microfluidic devices for on-site testing. These innovations promise future gains in reducing labs’ environmental footprint.
Interested in these trends?
Explore our full report where we take a deeper dive into each sustainability and optimisation trend, complete with real-world examples from food and beverage laboratories across New Zealand and Australia. Discover how these innovations are driving measurable impact and shaping a greener, more efficient future for testing environments.
Read Full Report
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