Babson College
IN-9: Green Laboratories

As a liberal arts college focused on business education, Babson College does not have extensive research labs. However, there is a large teaching lab that serves all students and supports some faculty research. The sustainable lab practices include energy and water conservation as well as chemical and material conservation. Lab energy conservation and efficiency include: (1) Fume hoods are only turned on when in use for specific activities; they remain off at all other times (2) During the summer (when classes are not in session), items in all freezers are consolidated into one. Unused freezers are turned off during the summer (3) During the summer, items in the low-temperature freezer are transferred to Olin College (a neighboring institution); this allows Babson to turn off the low-temperature freezer for several months of the year (3) Energy Star equipment specified when applicable (such as for a recent dishwasher) Lab water conservation and efficiency include: (1) Teaching experiments are designed such that they don't require students to use water (2) The ice machine is turned off when not required for lab activities Sustainable lab chemical use and disposal include: (1) Experiments have been reviewed and re-designed to minimize actual supplies and thus chemicals that are used (2) Teaching labs have been designed to avoid hazardous chemicals; all lab waste is now able to be disposed of down the drain (3) Any chemicals that must be disposed of are picked up twice per year by a vendor for proper disposal Sustainable lab materials management include: (1) When experiments allow, re-usable lab supplies are used (2) Soil and plant matter left from teaching labs is composted when safe to do so (3) Supplies are reviewed to ensure as little material is used as possible, e.g., tissue paper is used to weigh out samples instead of plastic boats (4) Supplies were reviewed to identify sustainable alternatives, such as FSC paper