Campion Cian, Robertson Linda, Stansfield Ian, Speirs Valerie
School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
Aberdeen Cancer Centre, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
BJC Rep. 2025 Jan 22;3(1):4. doi: 10.1038/s44276-024-00115-0.
Single-use plastics (SUPs) are used widely in cancer research laboratories. They are cheap, durable, and lightweight, and until now have been considered disposable items. This, however, contributes significantly to unsustainable waste production. SUP waste is typically diverted to landfill or incineration, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, taking many years to degrade. Lack of robust SUP waste disposal streams, particularly in cancer research labs has long term effects on the environment. Having identified that a single laboratory researcher in our group generates at least 15 kg SUP tissue culture waste alone each year, we explore some of the issues associated with SUPs in pre-clinical oncology research, discussing potential reuse routes, alternative materials for labware and developing circular approaches to plastic consumption to address the green agenda. We also propose recommendations for improving sustainability in cancer research labs.
一次性塑料制品（SUPs）在癌症研究实验室中被广泛使用。它们价格低廉、耐用且轻便，直到现在一直被视为一次性用品。然而，这极大地导致了不可持续的废物产生。SUP废物通常被转移到垃圾填埋场或焚烧，这会导致温室气体排放，需要很多年才能降解。缺乏完善的SUP废物处理流程，尤其是在癌症研究实验室，对环境有长期影响。我们发现我们团队中一名实验室研究人员仅每年就单独产生至少15千克的SUP组织培养废物，我们探讨了临床前肿瘤学研究中与SUPs相关的一些问题，讨论了潜在的再利用途径、实验室器具的替代材料，并开发塑料消费的循环方法以应对绿色议程。我们还提出了提高癌症研究实验室可持续性的建议。
