BCH Green Labs Brings Sustainability to the 2024 RLSO Annual Safety Fair
On October 24th, 2024, the Research Laboratory Support Office (RLSO) hosted its Annual Safety Fair in the Karp Building at Boston Children’s Hospital. With a festive Halloween theme, the event highlighted the critical intersection of safety and innovation in research environments. Among the standout participants was the BCH Green Labs program, whose dynamic and engaging table drew in over 140 attendees throughout the day.
Sustainable Jeopardy: Education Meets Entertainment
The BCH Green Labs team brought energy to the event with their Sustainable Jeopardy game, an interactive experience designed to educate researchers on eco-friendly practices while offering a bit of friendly competition. Participants vied for prizes like VWR pipette tip recycling boxes and, of course, Halloween candy. The game not only spotlighted sustainability but also tied these practices to lab safety, emphasizing their shared importance in modern research settings.
Showcasing Key Initiatives
The Green Labs team took the opportunity to share insights into their 2024 and 2025 sustainability initiatives, including:
The "Shut the Sash" Fume Hood Challenge: Highlighting energy conservation and safety benefits, this initiative has saved significant energy by encouraging researchers to keep fume hood sashes closed when not in use.
Glove Recycling Pilot Program: A potential future endeavor, this program aims to reduce waste while ensuring safe disposal methods for used gloves.
Recycling Innovations: The BCH Green Labs program continues to lead in lab plastics recycling, including pipette tip boxes and media bottles, through partnerships with organizations like Polycarbin.
Safety Meets Sustainability
The Safety Fair underscored the interconnected nature of safety and sustainability in research labs. From reducing greenhouse gas emissions to implementing safer waste management systems, the Green Labs program exemplifies how sustainability initiatives can enhance the overall safety and efficiency of laboratory operations.
Community Engagement and Education
With over 140 meaningful conversations, the event served as a platform to connect with researchers, clinicians, and staff. Attendees learned about how sustainability practices, like those celebrated through the My Green Lab Freezer Challenge and the Shut the Sash competition, align with the hospital's goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
Looking Ahead
The success of the 2024 RLSO Annual Safety Fair demonstrates the growing enthusiasm for sustainability within the BCH research community. The Green Labs team looks forward to continuing these conversations, rolling out new programs, and building momentum for a greener, safer future in the laboratory setting.
Learn More
Explore BCH Green Labs initiatives on our website, and join us in making Boston Children’s Hospital a leader in sustainable and safe research practices.
