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How to Run a Greener Lab

Reader question: I want to run a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lab, without neglecting my primary mission of conducting research. How do I find the extra time and money to implement “green” strategies? What’s the process?

Expert comments:

If your main concern is budget, that would be a no-brainer. Virtually everything I’ve seen implemented is a cost-saving measure.

Recycling paper, recycling ink cartridges, turning off computers — none of these require an investment in new technology. These are all behavior modifications.

To start transforming your lab into a more sustainable operation, follow these steps:

1. Perform an audit to figure out what you are consuming in terms of resources. In a lab of any kind, there is paper, ink, computers… some basic staples. Begin to measure what you’re using in each area.

2. Look at your opportunities for improvement, the impact they may have, and potential for energy and cost savings.

3. Develop a program to actually implement those measures. Include a timeline, goals, who is responsible for individual efforts, etc.

4. Monitor your progress. Do a quarterly evaluation of where you are.

5. Keep a record of where you started and how far you’ve come. Then, you can brag about it.

Expert comments by Michael Anschel, CEO, of Verified Green, Inc., a Minneapolis-based consulting and training company that helps organizations implement sustainability measures.