University of California, Irvine
IN-9: Green Laboratories

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable operations, UCI launched the UCI Green Labs program in 2017 to help facilitate sustainable practices in campus laboratories while supporting research integrity and safety. UCI Green Labs consists of a comprehensive self-assessment of sustainable practices including energy use, water use, green chemistry, field work, waste management, and purchasing. Laboratory staff work collaboratively to complete the assessment, identify sustainable practices to implement, and complete the certification process. To support and implement the program, UCI created the Green Labs Working Group. This group consists of 11 employees who are experts in the fields of water, waste, energy, green chemistry, and procurement. They educate their peers in campus laboratories on sustainability behaviors and actions according to their areas of expertise. To establish the program, UCI partnered with My Green Lab, a non-profit that has also helped to develop Green Lab programs across the nation. The program was developed through a pilot program involving five campus laboratories working in collaboration with campus sustainability staff to implement and test the program. UCI currently has four certified Green Labs. - Energy Conservation and Efficiency: The UCI Green Labs program connects participating labs with a campus stakeholder from the Facilities Management, Energy department. Program staff have helped to install outlet timers, switch light bulbs to LED, and provide freezer maintenance education. All participating labs received coil dusters to help remove unwanted dust from freezers, helping freezers to use less energy and run more efficiently. - Water Conservation and Efficiency: Water conservation and efficiency currently focuses on the research and installation of faucet aerators and flow restrictors. All participating labs are educated on the low-cost, yet environmental importance of making these updates. Other measures that have been taken is the installation of a water hydration station in one of UCI's lab buildings. The hydration station provides drinkable water and digitally calculates plastic water bottle savings. - Chemical Use and Disposal: Participating labs are educated on the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/greenchemistry/what-is-green-chemistry/principles/12-principles-of-green-chemistry.html - Materials Management: Anne Krieghoff, UCI's Recycling and Sustainability Program Manager, visits with each of the participating labs to ensure they are provided with recycling and waste bins, with updated signage on how to properly dispose of materials. Labs are also provided with information about how to properly dispose of styrofoam and the designated locations on campus. - Training for lab users on sustainable practices: The Green Labs program is very interactive, providing ongoing training and resources to participating labs. A highlight of the 2017 program was the "Let's Talk Procurement" training session, which educated labs on how to navigate environmentally-friendly products on UCIBuy, the eCommerce portal whereby all UCI Departments may shop for commonly purchased items.

Following the successful completion of the pilot program in fall 2017, the UCI Green Lab program is currently working towards certifying more labs across campus. Information provided by: Carrie Metzgar Communications Manager Office of Environmental Planning & Sustainability cmetzgar@uci.edu (949) 824-6316