You have a Green Lab designation program, now what?
Learn how to develop complementary innovative green lab initiatives that foster sustainable research practices while fulfilling institutional sustainability objectives. Via examples from the University of Pittsburgh and University of Colorado Boulder, this session, will cover the guiding strategies, methodology, and tracking methods for green lab offerings. You will leave with an understanding of and ideas about 1) How to further sustainability in laboratory spaces, 2) How to formulate communication plans to ensure programmatic success, and 3) Lessons learned.
Approaches covered in this session will include a program promoting greener choice product offerings that help advance sustainable laboratory spend, a circular economy solution for pipette tip boxes (which often can’t otherwise be recycled in single stream collection), and ultra low temperature freezer defrosting and rebate offerings and strategy.
Participants interested in creating innovative complementary green lab initiatives that inspire change should attend!
Presenters: Samantha Chan, Assistant Director of Sustainability, University of Pittsburgh
Samantha Chan is the Assistant Director of Sustainability in the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Sustainability. She works with the University-wide, cross-departmental Sustainability team, providing support for the Pitt Sustainability Plan’s goals and strategy. Sam and her colleagues help advance the University towards achieving all 68 sustainability goals; she leads efforts to further embed sustainability into the culture of the University with a special focus on the Pitt Green suite of programs, employee education, communications, and strategic partnerships. Sam empowers positive behavior change, helps advance sustainability projects and build collaborations, strategically advances sustainability initiatives, and communicates about Pitt’s sustainability leadership and innovation. With over a decade of experience, Sam is passionate about creating sustainable solutions so current and future generations can thrive. Sam’s professional and educational experience includes environmental analytics, wildlife conservation, revitalization efforts, and biophilic resiliency initiatives that benefit both people and the planet. Prior to joining Pitt, Sam worked with the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing & Innovation at the University of Tennessee on embodied energy and recycling techniques to further the circular economy for airplanes and wind turbines. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science and Psychology from Allegheny College and a Master’s of Sustainability from Chatham University.
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