Arizona State University
IN-9: Green Laboratories

ASU's Sustainability Certification Program includes labs. The program offers a guide and test that helps participates incorporate sustainability into their lab. The certification is comprehensive and covers all the areas above. ASU's Environmental Health and Safety department work collaboratively with University Sustainability Practices to implement this effort. Communication and Education (1 pt) Conduct regular meetings to inform on lab sustainability and track goal progress (1 pt) Share application submission with all lab members so they are aware of their commitment and areas of improvement Energy Efficiency and Conservation (3 pt) Have laboratory freezer/refrigerator in a centralized location for multiple users (2 pt) Freezer/refrigerator equipment is “Energy Star” rated (1 pt) Freezer/refrigerator equipment defrosted on a regular basis, where the coils/motors are regularly cleaned (2 pt) Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers are set to -70° (1 pt) Inventory is kept of frozen samples (1 pt) Set all equipment (i.e. computers, monitors, heat plates, and spinner plates, etc.) to energy-saving modes or turn them off when not in use (1 pt) “Energy vampires” (i.e. cell phone chargers, battery chargers, etc.) are unplugged when not in use (1 pt) Use task light when working alone (2 pt) Lights are turned off when daylight is adequate (2 pt) Ensure lights are off in vacant or rarely used areas (storage rooms, cold rooms, etc.) (2 pt) Motion sensors are used to automatically shut off the lights when the lab is vacant (2 pt) Close fume hood sashes when not in use (2 pt) Fume hood energy conservation stickers installed (request them at greenlabs@asu.edu) Recycling and Waste Reduction (1 pt) Meeting agendas and information are sent electronically in place of providing printed copies (2 pt) Electronic waste and batteries are sent to ASU Surplus and EH&S (2 pt) Envelopes, boxes and packaging material are reused in the lab or returned to vendor for reuse (3 pt) Reduce unwanted mail via removing names from mailing lists (2 pt) Have a shared supplies area to limit wasting extra quantities of ordered items (2 pt) Use ASU Surplus to pick-up unwanted materials (1 pt) Print double-sided (1 pt) Use scratch paper from one-sided printed paper (1 pt) Have recycling bin (request one here) (2 pt) Application of ASU’s Recycling and Zero Waste program, video available here. (2 pt) Involvement in the Blue Bag Program (request one here) (1 pt) Segregate waste to minimize contamination (3 pt) Practicing any of the EPA American Chemical Society 12 Principles of Green Chemistry (2 pt) Participate in the Chemical Exchange Program Water Conservation (1 pt) Water leaks in pipes or sinks are reported to FACMAN immediately (1 pt) Employees are trained to use water conservatively (2 pt) Using energy efficient vacuum pumps in replacement of water aspirators (2 pt) Laboratory utilizes Water Distillers or Reverse Osmosis units Purchasing (2 pt) Laboratory purchases and utilizes glass or other recyclable laboratory ware (1 pt) Purchase recycled paper (3 pt) Energy Star and other energy efficient equipment are purchased when possible (3 pt) Purchase high performance/low volume style fume hoods when possible (2 pt) Attempt to decrease packaging on shipped products via requesting ‘low/no excess packaging’ in shipping instructions (2 pt) Nontoxic/biodegradable products such as Safer Choice are used (2 pt) Chemicals and other needed materials are routinely inventoried and purchased in small, or “as needed” amounts Subtotal: ____/15 Create your own Green Lab activities for your laboratory to achieve. Please share below or on a separate sheet any other green ideas related to ASU laboratories that your laboratory is undertaking or any other relevant information you think should be considered regarding this assessment.