Sustainability in sample collection

In 2019 climate change was one of the major global challenges we were encountering. We were clapping for the firemen in Australia, the flood workers in Venice, whilst at the same time being fully aware that something needed to change long term.

The surreal lockdown situation that impacted the global economy creates a unique opportunity to re-think some of the things we were doing. Consequently, we should only go back to normal, if normal was good.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a significantly positive impact on the CO2 emissions and energy demand. Discussions are now taking place globally to prevent emissions reaching the same high levels previously experienced. If you are planning to expand your research facility to support vaccine development, imaging resources or build a collection of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples, there might not be a better time to look at the wider sustainability picture. Solutions are often already in place; they just need to be implemented.

Taking a more detailed look at cold storage of specimens, several initiatives have been taken to create a more sustainable approach. The Thermo Scientific TSX series ultra-low temperature freezers supplied locally by Labotec, feature V-drive adaptive control technology, designed to minimise energy consumption without sacrificing sample security. The use of nonhydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants manufactured in a facility that has achieved zero waste to landfill, means that more than 90% of the waste generated at the manufacturing site is diverted from landfill.

A different angle on the sustainability topic is the actual use of the sample. If unique specimens from patients are only stored and treated as ‘my precious’ it is not only a waste of resources like electricity or plastics, but also not benefitting the patient. If future patients are no longer volunteering to consent the use of their (clinical) data and specimens, biobanks and research in general have a major issue. The sustainability topic should be an integral part of the overall discussions between the stakeholders (these include donors, biobanks, researchers, industry and policymakers) to create a strategy where intentions, actions and results are all aligned. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s mission is to ‘make the world healthier, cleaner and safer’ and the company has been reporting on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives since 2011.

Achieving new innovative approaches in both thinking and acting requires game changers. Ideas that go beyond your own organisation and effect everyone involved. This could be the start of the new normal, make sure you don’t miss it.

LABOTEC (PTY) LTD

JHB: (011) 315 5434 CPT: (021) 531 7660 DBN: (031) 566 4870 Fax: (011) 315 5882 sales@labotec.co.za www.labotec.co.za