Dedicated to advancing sustainable laboratories globally.
I2SL Working Groups
I2SL Members participate in working groups to tackle specific technical topics and common sustainability issues. Working groups meet monthly or as needed to address tasks and discuss progress. I2SL members interested in participating in a working group should contact the chairs listed for each group.
I2SL University Alliance Group (UAG)
Participants in the group include professionals from academic research institutions and non-profits, as well as collaborators from federal agencies. If you are interested in participating in the UAG Zoom meetings, having access to shared resources on the Community of Practice website, and being added to the UAG directory of member expertise, please fill out the application form on the Community of Practice website.
Group Purpose
To share green lab and sustainable science initiatives and work together as a group on driving changes to systems that will improve the environmental sustainability and resource efficiency of scientific research, particularly at academic research institutions.
Chair:
Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar, University of Colorado Boulder
The group meets monthly via Zoom and shares resources and expertise. The meetings currently alternate between two focuses:
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Sharing of lab sustainability and green lab initiatives in place at research institutions, federal laboratories, and other non-profits. ​
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The Bringing Efficiency to Research (BETR) Grants initiative—which is focused on connecting efficiency and sustainability expectations and requirements to the funding of scientific research.
Green Labs Programs With Full-Time Staffing
Many members of the I2SL UAG are connected with Green Labs Programs at their universities or other research campuses. The following institutions have dedicated budget for one or more full-time employees to manage Green Labs Programs at their institutions.
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Johns Hopkins University
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​McGill University
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​Trinity College Dublin
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University of Alabama at Birmingham
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​University of British Columbia
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University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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University of Colorado Boulder
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University of Georgia
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University of Michigan
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University of Pennsylvania
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University of Texas Austin
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University of Virginia
​Million Advocates for Sustainable Science
Considering the outsized carbon footprint of laboratories, the urgency of mitigating climate change, and the hyper-competitive environment that researchers are facing for funding, systemic changes towards more efficient lab operations and practices would benefit both science and a reduced environmental footprint. Current research funding structures generally neglect to encourage or require research institutions to demonstrate environmental sustainability to receive funds. As a result, My Green Lab and I2SL created the Million Advocates for Sustainable Science letter signing campaign. This call to action challenges research funders to encourage sustainability in research and to urge scientists, research institutions, and stakeholders to improve and implement sustainability, resource efficiency, and resiliency within research laboratories.
We encourage sustainability advocates, scientists, lab workers, lab designers, engineers, and builders to sign the letter now to join hundreds and soon thousands around the world in the push to change in the way scientific research is conducted. There are two versions of the letter:
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A general global letter
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A global letter with United States-specific additions relevant to U.S. funding sources
After signing, feel free to share this letter and video on social media and send it to friends and colleagues to have an even larger impact. You can also visit the website to learn more about the impact your signature will have, lab sustainability, or for ways to make your lab more efficient.
Lab Materials Management Working Group
Participants in the group include sustainability professionals from academic research institutions, nonprofits, federal agencies, pharma and biotech companies, and clinics and hospitals, as well as procurement experts across all industries, and representatives from lab material suppliers and manufacturers. If you are interested in participating in the Lab Materials Management (LMM) working group, obtaining access to shared resources on the I2SL Circular Economy for Labs Community of Practice website, and joining the LMM directory of members, please fill out the application form on the Community of Practice website.
Group Goals
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Be a leading voice of best practices for lab waste reduction and sustainable procurement.
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Help labs understand and calculate waste generation and reduction opportunities and realize waste diversion through program implementation and emissions reduction.
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Provide a secure, supportive venue for sharing resources, concerns, and expertise.
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Disrupt the lab product/equipment supply chain and be a watchdog for greenwashing.
The group meets monthly via Zoom to share resources and expertise and work on projects listed below. Meeting objectives alternate monthly.
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Odd Months: Group project work (see below)
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Even months: Listen & Learn presentations from various experts
Current Projects
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Vendor Vetting
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Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
Ways to Participate
You are welcome to join the LMM working group as either a Listen & Learn member or a Core group member. See the table below for descriptions of each member type and expectations of membership, including engagement with the Circular Economy for Labs Community of Practice. Working group members who officially join will be able to visit our shared resource site on the Circular Economy for Labs Community of Practice website.
Core Members
Listen & Learn Members
Roles
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Attend monthly meetings
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Commit to working on a specific project
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Occasional work outside of meetings
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Community of Practice: Engage with others by posting and answering questions
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Attend learning portions of bimonthly meetings as desired
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Community of Practice: Post questions
Time Commitment
2 hours per month
1 hour every other month
Expected Attendance
8-9 meetings per year
N/A
Name Listed in the LMM Directory of Experts?
Yes
No
Sustainable Lab Forum for Corporate Owners
I2SL’s Sustainable Lab Forum is an affinity group for individuals representing corporate research and development and life sciences firms. Participants in the group include private sector lab sustainability leads, safety officers, facility managers, procurement officials, and senior management.
Group Purpose
The Forum’s purpose is to facilitate the exchange of useful information, share lab sustainability experiences, and address common challenges related to energy efficiency and decarbonization that are unique and relevant to corporate lab owners.
Topics of discussion during Forum calls include:
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Best practices for improving private sector lab building energy performance
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Ways to engage researchers, energy managers, and other employees in sustainable science
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Collecting and analyzing sustainability data and metrics across multinational facilities
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Emissions reduction opportunities in lab buildings
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Working with supply chains on Scope 3 emissions reductions
The group meets quarterly to learn from peers and discuss challenges and opportunities to reduce energy and emissions in corporate lab buildings. Each Forum call features a peer or expert presentation about a project or practice, followed by open conversation where participants can ask questions, share concerns, and brainstorm solutions to sustainability challenges.
Participation
This forum is intended for corporate lab owners, not vendors of any kind. While initial participation does not require individual or corporate membership in I2SL, regular Forum participants will be asked to join I2SL to realize the benefits of membership.
The next Forum call is planned for September 4 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern and will feature a presentation “Our Journey to Decarbonize Our Labs” by Gilead Science, Inc.; attendance is free but requires membership in the Sustainable Lab Forum. If you work for a corporate lab owner, email info@i2sl.org, and to join the Forum and receive a link to register.