| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.46 |
| Liaison | Fortino Morales |
| Submission Date | April 21, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of California, Riverside
IN-2: Innovation 2
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Delphine
Faugeroux Senior Science Advisor Office of Sustainability |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Laboratories may only occupy 1/2 of campus floor space, but they consume 3/4 of campus energy, waste excessive amounts of potable water and generate an increasing waste flow that ends up in landfills. The Green Lab program aim for assisting researchers on campus in reducing their environmental impact, while improving safety, encouraging best practices in laboratory management, and promoting inter-lab communication and resource sharing. UCR has more than 900 laboratories on campus, which typically consume 5 times more energy than classroom or office space.
The UCR Green Lab Program develops communication campaigns for behavior change to minimize energy use, water, and material goods use without compromising research integrity or efficiency. It also encourages the development of energy efficient equipment with scientific companies and seek for funding to incentive retrofit that can save energy as well as water.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
Many outcomes can measured from the Green Lab Program. Lab equipment are metered before and after the green lab implementation, so that the saving can be calculated in kWh/year. For example, regular and energy efficient ULT freezers are monitored to allow verification and help the promotion of new energy efficient model on the market.
Water consumer equipment such as autoclaves are also metered to first understand how much water they use and then validate more water efficient alternative.
Recycling is also implemented in labs and each recyclable bag is weighted as well as Styrofoam coolers counted to quantify the amount of waste diverted from landfill.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | --- |
| Research | --- |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Air & Climate | --- |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services | --- |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | --- |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | Yes |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.