Developing a Green Labs Program at Cornell University

Ellen Sweet, Cornell University

The sustainability of Cornell University labs is being addressed both institutionally and at the grassroots level. The developing Cornell Green Labs program's strategy is to connect the central resources of the University with the motivation of those in the student and lab population. The program focuses on chemical management and use, energy conservation, solid waste management and reduction, waste reduction, water use reduction, purchasing decisions and other innovative practices laboratory groups are already doing. Through this program we hope to bring about safety culture change and reduction in carbon impact of labs by educating and engaging the students before they graduate. This presentation discusses this year's efforts in making this connection and engaging students.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the role of the laboratory population in identifying and implementing Greener Lab Practices
• Explain how the roles of Energy Management and Environmental Health and Safety professionals interact in supporting greener lab practices
• Identify sources of opportunities for greener lab practices

Biographies:

Ellen Sweet has a Master's degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in EHS Management and is a Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer. She had over 10 years of lab experience as a technician and lab manager before joining the Research Safety Section at Cornell in 2010. Ellen is responsible for the Laboratory Ventilation Management Program (LVMP) which is a comprehensive management system that balances health and safety with energy conservation strategies for research and teaching labs.

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