Green Labs Program

About the Program

The Boise State Green Labs Program was established to reduce the environmental footprint of research laboratories while maintaining the highest standards of safety and scientific excellence.

Laboratories are among the most resource-intensive spaces on campus. Due to ventilation requirements, specialized equipment, water-intensive processes, and single-use materials, research buildings can consume disproportionately high levels of energy and generate significant waste. Addressing laboratory efficiency represents one of the most impactful opportunities for reducing campus emissions and operational costs.

The Green Labs Program supports faculty, students, and staff in implementing practical, evidence-based strategies that:

• Improve energy and water efficiency
  
• Reduce landfill waste and hazardous materials
  
• Encourage responsible purchasing and equipment use
  
• Promote safe and efficient lab operations
  
• Build a culture of sustainability within research spaces
  

Our approach emphasizes collaboration between researchers, Facilities Management, Environmental Health & Safety, and sustainability leaders across campus. By aligning operational efficiency with academic excellence, we strengthen both research resilience and institutional climate goals.

Our Goals

• Reduce laboratory-related energy consumption
  
• Increase waste diversion from lab spaces
  
• Improve fume hood and ventilation efficiency
  
• Expand recycling infrastructure in research buildings
  
• Develop student leadership in sustainable science
  
• Establish measurable impact metrics for continuous improvement

Our Approach

The Boise State Green Labs Program combines:

• Behavioral campaigns (e.g., Shut the Sash)
  
• Waste diversion initiatives (e.g., Orange Bag Recycling)
  
• Pilot lab partnerships
  
• Recognition and certification pathways
  
• Data collection and impact reporting
  

Through incremental and systems-level improvements, we aim to create long-term cultural change in laboratory sustainability.

Boise State’s Green Lab Certification helps research and academic labs on campus reduce energy, water, and material waste by providing labs the opportunity to complete a sustainability audit. Shutting the fume hood all the way saves over $1,000 per hood in energy costs. Use the Green Lab Audit to benchmark your current lab practices, earn a Green Lab Score, and set goals for improvement.

Current Initiatives

Orange Bag Recycling Program

Boise State’s Orange Bag Recycling Program expands the range of recyclable materials beyond traditional blue bins. Through this initiative:

• Labs can divert additional plastics from landfill
  
• Materials are processed into renewable plastic
  
• Departments reduce overall waste disposal costs
  
• Faculty and students can serve as Orange Bag Ambassadors

This program supports our broader campus waste reduction goals and helps create visible sustainability action in laboratory spaces.

Shut the Sash Campaign

Fume hoods are critical for safety, but among the largest energy consumers in laboratory buildings.

By simply closing the sash when a hood is not in active use, labs can significantly reduce unnecessary airflow and energy waste.

At peer institutions, estimated savings range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per hood per year.

The Shut the Sash campaign promotes:

• Proper sash height during use
  
• Closing sashes when inactive
  
• Lab-wide culture shifts around energy awareness
  

Small behavioral changes lead to substantial cumulative impact.

Net Zero VIP Showcase

Fall 2025 Net Zero VIP students secured funding from the Office of Sustainability’s Student Grant for further implementation of the Green Labs Shut the Sash and Orange Bags initiatives.