Environmental impact, cost, and acceptability of a laboratory sustainability certification program for biomedical research in an academic medical center

Introduction

The healthcare sector contributes considerably to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Biomedical research within academic medical centers (AMCs) is particularly energy- and resource-intensive. This study sought to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a formal laboratory sustainability certification process within a large AMC research institute.

Methods

Five labs with diverse research profiles participated in an external certification process consisting of the collection of baseline questionnaire data, a customized intervention plan to reduce environmental impacts, and a follow-up questionnaire to assess changes made and their effects. Investigators also directly measured solid waste, audited benchtop and cold storage plug loads, measured selected energy and potential cost savings, and assessed researcher attitudes.

Results

All labs successfully achieved sustainability certification. Relevant and feasible interventions were identified for all participating labs. The main opportunities for improvements at the workplace that could be measured and are under the direct control of researchers included energy use and waste handling at the benchtop. Researchers generally were positive about the program and most expressed an interest in doing more to improve workplace sustainability. Financial estimates showed that intervention-related cost savings offset the cost of the certification process.

Conclusions

In the context of AMC research, where lab-specific autonomy, sizes, and age make a uniform “top-down” institutional approach to sustainability less applicable, customized sustainability certification programs can be effective and may help achieve environmental goals without significant cost or unduly burdensome behavioral changes.