The BCH Green Labs team hosted our first-ever Lab Equipment Swap Shop, successfully diverting over a cubic yard of reusable lab supplies and small equipment from the landfill. More than just resource sharing, the event showcased the growing culture of sustainability across our research community, proving that small actions can spark meaningful change.

Sustainability isn’t just a lab initiative—it’s a mindset that carries into our homes and communities. Inspired by Lucie Basch, co-founder of Too Good to Go, this post explores how small, intentional choices can lead to big environmental impact. Learn how BCH Green Labs is driving change in science and beyond—and how you can too.

Did you know that adjusting your ULT freezer from -80°C to -70°C can cut energy consumption by up to 37% without compromising sample integrity? Studies show that proper freezer maintenance and strategic temperature adjustments can significantly reduce lab energy costs and environmental impact. Learn how to optimize your cold storage for maximum efficiency.

Discover the success of the Cell Signaling Technology-funded Lab Plastics Recycling Program at Boston Children's Hospital. With 707 pounds of plastic recycled, 791,683 gallons of water conserved, and significant CO2 reductions, this initiative is transforming sustainability in research labs. Learn how CST's support, coupled with Polycarbin's expertise, is paving the way for greener science and inspiring labs across our institution. Together, let’s reduce lab waste and create a more sustainable future!

Learn how to defrost your laboratory freezer efficiently with this step-by-step guide. Maximize freezer performance, reduce energy consumption, and maintain sample integrity with expert tips on planning, cleaning, disinfecting, and documenting your freezer maintenance.

At the Fall Leadership Forum, Chuck Blanchette of Boston Children's Hospital Research Green Labs highlighted groundbreaking sustainability initiatives, including energy-saving programs and lab plastics recycling graciously funded by Cell Signaling Technology. His insights showcased BCH’s commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable future for patients and the planet.

BCH Green Labs Shines at the 2024 RLSO Annual Safety Fair
On October 24th, BCH Green Labs brought sustainability to center stage at the RLSO Annual Safety Fair in the Karp Building. With a Halloween theme, over 140 attendees stopped by to play Sustainable Jeopardy, win prizes like VWR pipette tip recycling boxes, and learn about the team’s 2024-2025 initiatives. Highlights included the "Shut the Sash" Fume Hood Challenge, discussions on a potential glove recycling program, and insights into lab plastics recycling. The event showcased how sustainability and safety go hand-in-hand, advancing Boston Children’s Hospital’s goals of carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) Green Labs celebrates the success of its annual "Just Shut It" competition, where nearly 200 labs worked to reduce energy use and enhance lab safety by keeping fume hood sashes closed. This year’s winner, the Sola-Visner lab, went above and beyond by creating educational posters and promoting sustainable practices on their floor. BCH’s commitment to sustainability has gained international recognition, furthering our mission to build a safer, greener research environment.

Boston Children’s Hospital Labs Claim Top Spot in 2024 International Freezer Challenge for the Third Year!

For the third consecutive year, Boston Children's Hospital Research has triumphed in the prestigious 2024 My Green Lab and I2SL International Freezer Challenge, demonstrating the power of sustainable practices in cold storage management. Our labs have once again proven that when healthy habits take root, culture change follows! Curious to know which labs participated and who emerged as the top contender in this year’s competition? Read on to discover how BCH labs continue to lead the charge in energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Boston Children's Hospital has taken the Top Clinical Award in the 2024 International Freezer Challenge! Find out more on how this group of researchers make a difference... on ULT at a time.

BCH to start Lab Plastics Recycling program with help from CST Grant!

The 2023 Winning Labs at BCH for the International Freezer Challenge

Ever needed just a tiny bit of a chemical? Check out the chemical inventory right here at BCH

Proper Disposal of Old Equipment: Protecting the Environment

Disposing of old or unwanted equipment, such as e-waste, responsibly is crucial to reducing environmental harm and supporting sustainability efforts. At Boston Children's Hospital, we are committed to ensuring that discarded equipment is handled properly to minimize waste and prevent hazardous materials from entering the environment.

Learn more about the importance of responsible disposal and how BCH makes it easy for labs to participate in sustainable practices in the full article here.

How to mail back styrofoam boxes at Boston Children’s Hospital

They say it takes 21 days to build a healthy habit. We’re giving it a month!

Boston Children’s Hospital is taking steps to build healthy habits… and we’re not just talking about eating healthy or exercising. Fume hoods are the #1 energy using units in labs - using as much energy as 3.5 houses a day!

The “Just Shut It” campaign, 2024, encompasses a fun competition between labs across the research enterprise to hopefully build a heathy habit of shutting the sash anytime you are not using the Fume Hood, as well as incorporating keeping the lab doors shut as to not draw in outside air into the labs.

Here is some background:

-Closing sashes on variable air volume (VAV) fume hoods is known to benefit energy savings and lab member safety

-Having sashes raised too high can impact air capture efficiency, and potentially harm researcher’s health

-On average, 49% to 65% of the hoods are open over a two-week period. Many researchers do not know the importance of closing the sash, not only for energy savings with VAV systems, but also for safety

-There have been ongoing issues with scientists propping lab doors open in BCH Research Lab Suites

-This can affect ventilation performance in the building and even the positive impact of a fume hood sash contest

-Safety concern because the air pressure cascade that must be maintained between spaces in the building

-there must be a pressure differential so that air from labs must not travel back to hallways

We are about to tally the results soon…

Let’s see who out Green Champion will be! We will post the results and the winner here in August 2024

Identifying recyclable waste at BCH