Lab Green Tips

In your science labs...

Shut the sash on the fume hood when not in operation. 

If a variable air volume (VAV) fume hood is not in use, keeping the sash wide open wastes about $1,500 in energy costs per year per hood, about the same as the average US household. Closing the sash when not in use is always safest for the user.

Use energy-efficient lab equipment. 

Many lab equipment vendors are starting to install power save modes, efficient motors, and other strategies for reducing energy use of plug load lab equipment. Visit the Harvard Green Labs website for a short list of products we have identified, and the next time you are purchasing new equipment ask for the most energy efficient model!

Turn off non-essential lab equipment when not in use (ask lab manager first). 

If it's ok to turn it off, do it! This will reduce energy use, energy costs, environmental impacts, and often increase the life of the equipment.

Use deionized water sparingly. 

Energy is expended to produce and deliver DI water. When other water works just as well, choose the low energy version!

Install water-conserving technologies in your lab. 

Visit www.labs21century.gov to find information about improving the environmental performance of labs.

Recycle plastic pipette holders in your lab. 

As long as things are not contaminated, it's safe to recycle them.

Donate unwanted lab equipment. 

Don't let your old lab equipment sit in a closet or end up in a landfill--give it a second life by donating it to labs in developing countries who desperately need basic science equipment to continue their work.

Use non-toxic materials when possible. 

Can an experiment be performed with non-toxic or less toxic materials than that prescribed in the lab manual?  If so, reduce campus toxic waste by revising the lab instruction or research.

Adapted with permission from the Harvard Green Campus Initiative
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