CSU Green Labs was launched in 2015 by Stacey Baumgarn, CSU Campus Energy Coordinator and CSU Green Labs Champion. Today, CSU Green Labs incudes a variety of programs and initiatives – collaborating with anyone working in a lab, from the PI to our undergraduate students – helping to advance sustainability best practices in the lab.
Stacey Baumgarn has also partnered with the OVPR Research Safety Culture Program and the Office of Research Integrity to bring visibility to the intersection of Sustainability, Research Safety, and the responsible conduct of research – via the CSU Green Labs program. As the program is always evolving, check out some of the current initiatives:
Shut the Sash Campaign
…for safety sake
…for sustainability sake
Shut the sash!
Fume hoods are one of the most energy intensive pieces of equipment in a laboratory. And they can be the location or source of real dangers. When you “shut the sash” anytime you are not working in the hood – you make your lab safer, and your hood will use a lot less energy!
To encourage and remind everyone in the lab to “Shut the Sash” – we have FREE stickers!
Contact Stacey Baumgarn and invite him to your lab – together we will install a sticker on each of your fume hoods. Viola! – the lab will be practicing improved safety and sustainability. Hope to hear from you soon!
(And, yes yes, we know – some labs have constant volume hoods – and those hoods use the same amount of energy whether they are open for work or shut between tasks – but please, for safety’s sake – let’s put a sticker on those hoods and shut that sash!)
Tracy Webb Lab – CSU’s first Shut the Sash participant!
International Laboratory Freezer Challenge
The International Laboratory Freezer Challenge is a friendly competition designed to promote best practices in cold storage management. The Freezer Challenge is coordinated by the non-profit organizations My Green Lab and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL). The International Laboratory Freezer Challenge is held annually, and labs are encouraged to participate on an annual basis. The competition is run from January-June. Join the fun and add your lab name here!
For more information on the Challenge, click here, or visit the Freezer Challenge website. If you have any questions, please contact Stacey Baumgarn, CSU Green Labs Champion and CSU Freezer Challenge Site Coordinator.
International Laboratory Freezer Challenge – Participants:
2023:
- Gregg Dean & Allison Vilander Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Fred Hoerndli Lab – Biomedical Sciences – CVMBS
- Sarah Johnson – Food Science and Human Nutrition – CHHS
- Esten Mason Lab – Soil & Crop Sciences – CAS
- Stephanie McGrath Lab – Clinical Sciences – CVMBS
- Kristy Pabilonia Lab – Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory – CVMBS
- Tracy Webb Lab – Clinical Sciences – CVMBS
2022:
- Karen Dobos Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Eduardo Gutierrez-Rodriguez Lab – Horticulture & Landscape Architecture – CAS
- Esten Mason Lab – Soil and Crop Sciences – CAS
- Jessica Prenni Lab – Horticulture & Landscape Architecture – CAS
- Eric Ross Lab – Biochemistry & Molecular Biology – CNS
- Jorge Vivanco Lab – Horticulture & Landscape Architecture – CAS
2021:
- Gregg Dean Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Ifigenia Geornaras Lab – Animal Sciences – CAS
- Eduardo Gutierrez-Rodriguez Lab – Horticulture & Landscape Architecture – CAS
- Esten Mason Lab – Soil & Crop Sciences – CAS
2020:
- Susan Bailey Lab – Environmental Health & Radiological Sciences – CVMBS
- Laurie Biela Lab – HPCRL, Health & Exercise Science – CHHS
- Josh Daniels Lab – Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory – CVMBS
- Sue Lana Lab – Tissue Biorepository and Clinical Trials Lab – CVMBS
- Christie Mayo Lab – Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory – CVMBS
- Kristy Pabilonia Lab – Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory – CVMBS
2019:
- Ellen Fisher Lab – Chemistry – CNS
- Sue Lana Lab – Clinical Sciences – CVMBS
- John McKay Lab – Bioagricultural Sciences & Pest Management – CAS
- Mahesh Narayanan Nair Lab – Animal Sciences – CAS
- Frank Peairs Lab – Bioagricultural Sciences & Pest Management – CAS
- Brendan Podell Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Eric Ross Lab – Biochemistry & Molecular Biology – CNS
- Melinda Smith Lab – Biology – CNS
2018:
CSU earned an Honorable Mention in the 2018 International Laboratory Freezer Challenge and the Hoover / Mathiason Lab at CSU earned a specific Honorable Mention for outstanding work. CSU had 14 participating labs – and together, we had one of the highest normalized scores of any participating entity – meaning more of our labs participated more fully – maximizing our commitment and actions: saving energy, resources and practicing sustainability.
- Lucas Argueso Lab – Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences – CVMBS
- Brad Borlee Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Barry Braun Lab – HPCRL, Health & Exercise Science – CHHS
- Gregg Dean Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Karen Dobos Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Ray Goodrich Lab – Infectious Disease Research Center – OVPR
- Edward Hoover & Candace Mathiason Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Mary Jackson Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Anne Lenaerts Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
- Jessica Metcalf Lab – Animal Sciences – CAS
- Stephen Pearce Lab – Soil & Crop Sciences – CAS
- Jessica Prenni Lab – Horticulture – CAS
- Pankaj Trivedi Lab – Bioagricultural Sciences & Pest Management – CAS
- Sue VandeWoude Lab – Microbiology, Immunology, & Pathology – CVMBS
2017:
- Lucas Argueso Lab – Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences – CVMBS
Thank you to all of the CSU participating labs – your efforts make a difference at CSU.
ULT Incentive Program
Since 2015 CSU Facilities Management has worked with researchers who are purchasing ULT freezers – by providing a $2,000 cash incentive to choose an energy efficient model. Since the program began, we have incentivized over 125 ULT’s across CSU – for researchers replacing older/inefficient units and teams just adding a freezer to their fleet. If you find yourself in the market for a new ULT – can we help you choose energy efficiency? See program guidelines below.
My Green Lab Certification
In the spring of 2021, 11 CSU labs, representing six colleges and labs across the institution – began the process of pursuing My Green Lab Certification. This pilot program was funded by CSU Facilities Management and coordinated by Stacey Baumgarn, Campus Energy Coordinator. Today, more than 25 labs at CSU have earned or are pursuing My Green Lab Certification. The CSU Green Labs program will gladly share the cost if your lab is interested.
The purpose and process of My Green Lab Certification includes:
- Evaluating, understanding, and promoting sustainability best-practices in laboratories at CSU
- Lab members take a baseline assessment of current practices and processes
- My Green Lab provides individualized feedback and recommendations to the lab
- Labs will have 3-6 months to implement any changes based on feedback received
- Lab members then complete a post-implementation 2nd assessment – which will determine the participating labs level of certification: Green, Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze
More information about My Green Lab certification here.
Congratulations to these CSU Labs – recognized as My Green Lab Certified:
Date: | Lab: | Certification Level: | College: | Where: |
3/31/2021 | Webb Lab | Green | CVMBS | VTH |
3/13/2023 | Webb Lab | Recertified – Green | CVMBS | VTH |
6/16/2022 | Mason Lab | Green | CAS | Plant Science |
10/6/2022 | Ross Lab | Platinum | CNS | MRB |
10/6/2022 | Kanno Lab | Bronze | WCNR | Wagar |
11/23/2022 | Trivedi Lab | Platinum | CAS | AZ |
11/28/2022 | Molecular Diagnostics | Green | CVMBS | DMC |
2/9/2023 | Dobos Lab | Green | CVMBS | IDRC |
9/8/2023 | Fermentation Lab | Bronze | CHHS | Gifford |
Did you know YOU can become a My Green Lab Ambassador? Sign-up for FREE – complete the My Green Lab, Green Lab Ambassador Assessment and earn their certificate of completion.
Head on over to the My Green Lab Ambassador Program page.
A note from My Green Lab: “The My Green Lab Ambassador Program is designed for scientists and laboratory professionals who are motivated to encourage their lab to be more sustainable. This free, online learning program will provide you with a quick introduction to lab sustainability and ideas for how sustainable actions can be implemented at your organization. By becoming a My Green Lab Ambassador you will be able to jumpstart your lab’s journey into sustainability.”
If you earn a certificate of completion and become a My Green Lab Ambassador, please let Stacey Baumgarn know! We want to keep a list and get connected as CSU Green Lab colleagues!
CSU is an I2SL Institutional Member
What does that mean? Well, first of all, free resources and more learning! Read more…
I2SL or the International Institute of Sustainable Laboratories is “a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the design, engineering, and use of sustainable laboratories and other high-technology facilities worldwide”
- Mission: To engage all stakeholders in advancing the safety and sustainability of laboratories and other high-tech facilities globally.
- Vision: I2SL will be the global leader and primary resource connecting all stakeholders and providing information and education to ensure safe, sustainable laboratory design, operation, and use.
As an I2SL Institutional Member you have access to tools, training, and opportunities to serve as a leader in the high-tech facility community as we work toward creating more sustainable facilities. You may also be eligible to take advantage of additional benefits from the Colorado I2SL Chapter.
If you are trying to access specific I2SL Member Benefits through the I2SL Member Portal that require administrative access, please contact Stacey Baumgarn for the CSU username and password.
Stacey Baumgarn, CSU Campus Energy Coordinator and CSU Green Labs Champion, served as a member of the Colorado Chapter Board of Directors from 2015-2021. Learn more and keep up to date on upcoming events, activities and education from the Colorado Chapter of I2SL here: https://www.i2slcolorado.org/
