University of California, Berkeley
IN-9: Green Laboratories

The UC Berkeley Green Laboratory Certification Program recognizes laboratories that implement sustainability practices and continually aim to reduce their environmental footprint. Participating laboratories will collaborate within the campus labs community to bring innovation and creativity to the certification program, and will support the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability’s (CACS) efforts towards a more sustainable UC Berkeley. CACS (sustainability.berkeley.edu/cacs) has identified a list of sustainable actions that can be implemented by labs to satisfy the requirements for a Green Certified Laboratory. Certification is awarded through a points system. Certification stands for 2 years; criteria and requirements may change over time. Periodic check-ins between the lab and Green Labs Certification student representative will be required. The certification process falls under seven categories: energy conservation and efficiency, water conservation and efficiency, chemicals and storage, purchasing, waste reduction, education and behavior change, and sustainable innovation. Under energy conservation and efficiency, the program requires labs to use shared freezers and refrigerators as well as freezers that are Energy Star rated. Lab members must also periodically defrost and clean freezer coils. With water, lab staff and students are encouraged to reduce water consumption and be familiar with the process for reporting any water leaks in pipes or sinks to building managers. With chemical use and disposal, labs are asked to minimize chemical waste by routinely inventorying which chemicals are used, stored and created in the lab, as well as to donate surplus chemicals and store and secure chemicals in locations approved by Environmental Health & Safety. Under materials management, labs are required to return, reuse or recycle envelopes, boxes and packaging material whenever possible. Labs are also advised to use rechargeable batteries where possible and reuse disposable plastic and glass items. Finally, labs are required to post a sustainable practices fact sheet, discuss green practices at regular team meetings and assign a lab member to oversee recycling and sash closures.

The information in this field comes from the UC Berkeley Office of Sustainability Green Certification Web page.