Clinical laboratories play a critical role in patient care while also generating substantial waste, including single‑use plastics, paper, and e-waste. In this special Lab Week episode of LabMind, we sit down with Dr. Joseph Wiencek, associate professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, to explore practical and attainable ways laboratories can reduce their environmental footprint. Dr. Wiencek shares actionable strategies for improving sustainability through laboratory stewardship, recycling initiatives, and effective advocacy without compromising quality or safety. Whether you’re a laboratorian, administrator, or trainee, this conversation offers ideas you can implement immediately. Listen in as we rethink waste in the clinical laboratory and consider how you can contribute to a more sustainable future in laboratory medicine.

Related Information:

Estimated Waste Generation From 1 Million Basic Metabolic Panels: A Multisite U.S. Study [hyperlinked to: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41048040/]
Potential Savings of Two Practical Interventions on Vitamin D Ordering Practices at a Large Academic Medical Center [hyperlinked to: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41140116/]

An Interview With Dr. Joe Wiencek: Reducing Waste in Clinical Laboratory Testing