Green Labs

UPDATE: the pilot glove-recycling program has closed. There are currently no central glove recycling programs at UW.

Update: UW Recycling and UW Sustainability have decided not to continue a pilot program to recycle nitrile lab gloves. The pilot program, which took place over the course of spring quarter of 2016 in nine labs in the Molecular Engineering and Sciences (MolES) department and Materials Science and Engineering department, reduced the proportion of lab waste that gloves made up from an average of 23% to 7%.

There are many Green Laboratories at the University of Washington who practice sustainability every day. The Green Lab Certification program was created to recognize these labs, while providing resources for labs who want to improve their practices. This spring, the Green Lab program gave awards to those certified labs which showed outstanding performance even among the select group of certified Green Labs.

Shout out to Schindler-Limnology Lab, Berg Lab, Shendure Lab, Keil Lab, and Olmstead Lab for becoming our newest certified Green Labs!

The Schindler-Limnology Lab placed at the Gold level of certification, scoring highest in the communication and education category. With about six staff and graduate students, the lab does research on water quality, fish biology, nutrient cycling, and all things inland water.

UW Organizational Excellence is hosting a Showcase on March 8 from 1-3 p.m. in the HUB Lyceum, featuring work from departments across the UW. This event will showcase how schools, colleges, and administrative units are making the UW better – together. UW Sustainability is excited to be there as a presenter and to see the outstanding work from other areas of the university.

The first rebates for labs which have purchased Stirling Ultra Low Freezers rebates have arrived.

Last week, I was part of UW Sustainability's team at the first UW Safety, Sustainability, and Preparedness Expo, letting UW community members know about our Green Certification prgrams for offices and labs on campus. 

Happy New Year! As you start to compile your list of New Year's resolutions, why not add Green Lab or Green Office certification to your list? Why, you might ask? The more labs and offices that participate in the programs, the greater their contribution will be towards making the University more sustainable. Plus, you receive a certificate to hang in your office or lab and FREE coffee from Husky Grind as a thank you for being green! What a great way to begin the new year--with an award and some delicious coffee!

Find out below which program fits your work area.

Great news! Seattle City Light is now going to rebate $600 to labs that purchase Stirling ULT (ultra-low temperature) freezers.

The UW Green Laboratory Certification program recognizes labs that maintain their commitment to Sustainability.