The widespread use of single-use ice packs in laboratory consumables has a significant environmental impact due to the energy required for their production and the waste generated after disposal. To address this, Appleton Woods operates a free ice pack return scheme in which used, non-leaking ice packs from any supplier are collected and reused in future shipments. This initiative helps reduce waste, lower carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and transport, and supports a more circular approach to laboratory consumables. In addition to the environmental benefits, the programme also reduces costs for both laboratories and suppliers by decreasing the need for new ice packs, while promoting more responsible resource use across the sector.

 

Currently, this initiative is managed at the Dunn School by Samantha Knight, who collects and stores used ice packs in designated boxes. Whenever Appleton Woods delivers consumables to the Dunn School, the ice packs are handed back to the delivery driver and returned to the company’s warehouse for reuse in future shipments.

 

Dunn School lab members also reuse gel ice packs within laboratories to improve freezer efficiency by filling empty spaces in freezers, helping to maintain temperature stability and reduce energy consumption. In addition, the ice packs are reused for transporting temperature-sensitive reagents and samples to researchers around the world, extending their lifespan and reducing unnecessary waste.​