Laboratories are responsible for a significant proportion of carbon emissions (reference 1, 2, 3, 4), with equipment use, including operation, cooling, data centres, and maintenance, accounting for an estimated 40–60% of emissions, consumables for 20–35%, and travel and accommodation for 10–20%. As part of our ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability, the Dunn School has introduced a Wooden Colony Picker Reuse Initiative.

​

In many laboratories, single-use plastic tools are commonly used to pick bacterial colonies from agar plates. Although effective, these items contribute to the large volume of plastic waste generated in scientific research, as they are typically autoclaved and then incinerated after use. To reduce this waste, we have introduced the reuse of wooden colony pickers (wooden toothpicks).

​

Currently, after use, lab members place the wooden toothpicks into designated 50 mL centrifuge tubes. Once full, the tubes are collected by the washing-up facility, where the toothpicks are decontaminated, washed, dried, transferred into glass vials, autoclaved, and then returned to the EPA building foyer for reuse by lab members.

​

This system ensures that the wooden colony pickers can be safely reused following appropriate cleaning and sterilisation procedures, maintaining high standards of hygiene and laboratory safety. By replacing single-use plastic tools with reusable wooden alternatives, the initiative reduces plastic waste, conserves resources, and minimises the environmental footprint of routine laboratory work without compromising research quality.

​

This simple but effective initiative demonstrates how practical changes in day-to-day lab practices can contribute to more sustainable laboratory operations and support the Dunn School’s commitment to environmentally responsible research.