THE YALE GREEN LABORATORIES CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Yale Environmental Health & Safety in conjunction with the Yale Sustainability Task Force initiatives has developed a Green Laboratories Certification Program for the University. While laboratories are unique from other areas on campus in that research is inherently resource dependant, generating a variety of regulated waste materials, the programs purpose is to raise awareness that even small changes in operation and purchasing habits can create a positive outcome. This new certification program is similar in format to the Green Office Certification Program that is underway by Yale Sustainability. These efforts are part of Yale's overall plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and lower our collective footprint.
The Green Laboratories Certification program has four levels of achievement (Y - A - L - E). The process begins when a laboratory commits itself to actively participating in this initiative by performing a self-assessment of their current laboratory practices. Points are earned for successfully adopting and verifying sustainable laboratory practices. Successful achievement of all four levels may require the adoption of additional practices overtime as well as a sustained demonstration of these practices. Points and levels are accumulated, as shown below:
Y: Commitment by the Principal Investigator and a majority of laboratory members to participate in the program, performing a laboratory self-assessment and the completion of the Green Lab Certification Survey Form.
A: Based upon the self-assessment, earn a minimum of 40 total points. At least one action item must be completed from each of the categories.
L: Meet all of the requirements for an "A" and have earned a minimum of 80 total points. At least one action item must be worth 6 points.
E: Meet all of the requirements for an "L" and have earned a minimum of 120 total points. At least one action item must be from the "write in category" and be approved by Green Laboratory Awards Committee as a valid action item with assigned point value.
Laboratories earning all four stages of certification will be given a written certificate of achievement, and special recognition signage for their laboratory. An annual celebration of labs achieving high levels of certification will be held. To remain a green laboratory, laboratories must be recertified on an annual basis.
Program Directions
- Please designate only one person from each laboratory to fill out the Green Lab Certification Survey.
- The survey is presented through Sharepoint. To log in, enter Yale\Net ID and your password.
- Upon completion, you will be emailed the results of your survey containing your labs total point value and current certification level.
- In the future when your lab has achieved additional action items, log back in to the survey and enter your answers to reflect updates.
- You will be contacted by a representative of the Green Lab Certification team for your lab door signage.