Principal Investigator: ___________________________________

Department: __________________________________________

Building: __________________                Room(s): _________________________

 

The UF Green Lab Certification rubric addresses sustainable behaviors, conservation efforts, and environmentally friendly infrastructure applicable to laboratory settings. Through EH&S evaluation of a weighted rubric, labs can achieve graded levels of green lab certification:

• Green: Awarded to labs that achieve ≥90% lab assessment scores
• Gold: Awarded to labs that achieve ≥80% lab assessment scores
• Silver: Awarded to labs that achieve ≥70% lab assessment scores

To be recognized as a certified green lab, laboratories will be assessed in accordance with a green lab certification rubric. The certification rubric is first completed by lab staff as self-assessment. Thereafter, the rubric is passed along to EH&S Research Services (greenlabs@ehs.ufl.edu) in order to schedule an onsite sustainability survey. Upon EH&S evaluation, labs will receive a final score. Graded levels of green lab certification that will be displayed on the lab notice boards.

Equipment: [Complete = 1 pt; Partial = 0.5 pt; No = 0 pt; N/A = excluded from total score]

Turn off energy consuming appliances/equipment when not in use (implement “turn me off” labeling). Notable laboratory equipment includes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Other, please describe: ________________________

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Equipment, notably computers, use energy saving modes (standby/sleep modes).

Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers (ULTs):

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Units are staged in centralized location/room, maintaining 6-8” free perimeter, near an exhaust duct.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A    Temperature setpoint increased from -80°C to -70°C.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   An accurate inventory of contents in maintained.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Minimize the duration in which the door is kept open.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Keep the unit well-stocked.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Share/consolidate cold storage space.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Door/gasket ice build-up is regularly removed. Units are defrosted, as needed.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Filters are routinely cleaned/replaced.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Coils are routinely cleaned.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Regular preventative maintenance.

Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs):

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   The use of UV light in biosafety cabinets is discouraged.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Biosafety cabinets are regularly (annually) professionally certified.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   The BSC catch basin is regularly cleaned and is void of any debris.

Fume Hoods:

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Lower fume hood sash when not in use.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   The sash level is appropriate when work is ongoing (i.e. not raised all the way up).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Minimize the storage of erroneous items/equipment in the fume hood.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   The fume hood is not utilized to evaporate chemicals or reagents to circumvent appropriate waste disposal methods.

Incubators:

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Incubators are not utilized as refrigerators.

Computers/Printers:

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Share printers as opposed to personal units.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Only print when necessary.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Double-sided printing.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Black and white as opposed to color printing.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Utilize recycled paper.

Autoclaves/Dishwashers:

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Regular preventative maintenance and calibration.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Autoclaves operated efficiently (refer to autoclave use guidance poster).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   The unit is loaded at optimal (maximal) capacity.

Gloveboxes:

Other equipment??:

 

 

Green Chemistry[Complete = 1 pt; Partial = 0.5 pt; No = 0 pt; N/A = excluded from total score]

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Maintain an accurate chemical inventory (reducing erroneous purchases, expired chemicals, etc.).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A    Alternative chemicals.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Minimize generation of waste.

 

Water Conservation: [Complete = 1 pt; Partial = 0.5 pt; No = 0 pt; N/A = excluded from total score]

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Turn off the water faucet/tap when it is not in use.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Do not allow water sources to run longer than necessary.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Dishwashers used in lieu of handwashing and utilized efficiently.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Low-flow faucet water aerators.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Conscious water quality selections are made (ex. Tap vs. RO vs. DI).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Utilize membrane/diaphragm/oil free pumps or we use the house vacuum system instead of water-vacuum aspirators.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   When possible, glassware is reused to minimize the need for washing.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Faucets are free of leaks.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Reusable alternative to ice (e.g. Lab Armor beads).

 

Recycling: [Complete = 1 pt; Partial = 0.5 pt; No = 0 pt; N/A = excluded from total score]

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Recycle DI water filtration units.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Recycle empty tip boxes.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Recycle cardboard/paper.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Recycle bottles/glassware.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Recycle ink/toner cartridges.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Recycle batteries and/or other universal waste.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Recycle solvents (e.g. acetone)

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Select suppliers who offer product and packaging take-back schemes.

 

Sustainable Purchasing: [Complete = 1 pt; Partial = 0.5 pt; No = 0 pt; N/A = excluded from total score]

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Whenever, possible, share equipment as opposed to making individual purchases.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Purchase ACT-labeled products which emphasize Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) around manufacturing, energy and water use, packaging, and end-of-life.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Purchase products produced from recycled plastic.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Purchase products that are readily biodegradable (notably including eco-friendly disposable gloves).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Purchase bagged conical tubes instead of Styrofoam racked.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Utilize reusable products in lieu of disposable.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Use stackable or refillable tip boxes.

 

Facility Design / Infrastructure: [Complete = 1 pt; Partial = 0.5 pt; No = 0 pt; N/A = excluded from total score]

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Lights are turned off when the lab is vacant (or the room is equipped with occupancy sensors).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Lab doors are kept closed.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   If capable of being opened, windows are kept closed.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Window blinds/shades are lowered.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Lab is free of general maintenance issues (ex. Poorly sealed windows, wall penetrations, missing ceiling tiles, etc.).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Thermostats are not obstructed or burdened (i.e. in direct sunlight or heat produced by nearby equipment)

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Only essential equipment connected to emergency power.

 

 

 

Engagement: [Complete = 1 pt; Partial = 0.5 pt; No = 0 pt; N/A = excluded from total score]

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Sustainable behaviors incorporated into lab standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Disseminate green lab initiatives (such as displaying posters/notices, departmental emails, etc.).

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Provide feedback to EH&S (greenlabs@ehs.ufl.edu; 352-392-1591).

 

Waste Management: [Complete = 1 pt; Partial = 0.5 pt; No = 0 pt; N/A = excluded from total score]

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   When possible, minimize single-use items in the laboratory environment.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   The satellite accumulation area (SAA) is free of excessive, outstanding, or repeat corrective actions.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Appropriately distinguish between biomedical and biological, but non-biomedical, waste streams.

Complete    Partial    No    N/A   Separate halogenated, aqueous, and non-aqueous wastes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual Completing Self-Assessment: _________________________________

Self-Assessment Completion Date: ___________

*Upon completion of the self-assessment, please send to greenlabs@ehs.ufl.edu

To be completed by EH&S:

Individual Completing Evaluation: _________________________________

Evaluation Date: ____________

Evaluation Score: ___________