Survey of the understanding of chemical laboratory workers in the Department of Science Service toward sustainability

Abstract

Department of Science Service (DSS), Ministry of Science and Technology, has been promoting the concept of green laboratories, which is an international concept aiming to equip laboratories with safety, efficient resource usage, reducing energy consumption, and being environmentally friendly. We conducted an opinion survey of staffs across the laboratories using chemicals within DSS to analyze the understanding of personnel in moving toward green laboratories, and propose ways to achieve green laboratories within the organization. The study found that 85.2 percent of the respondents are aware of the importance and want to embrace the green laboratory concept into their own laboratories. These findings reflect the understanding and potential of DSS staffs in moving toward green laboratories. However, only one-third of respondents thought that there is DSS green laboratory movement, and the majority of respondents show differences in the understanding of green laboratory development in the organization. Therefore, DSS needs to be more active in communicating the concept across the organization. Importantly, DSS needs to raise awareness and strengthen knowledge and understanding of the staffs on green laboratory practices and guidelines. In addition, DSS needs to support the staffs in undertaking the knowledge into practices to concrete green laboratory development and sustainability. This study can be used as the model for similar studies on laboratories in the public and private sectors and educational institutions as well, in order to promote green laboratory concept within the country in the future.