About the program
The Boise State Green Labs Program was established to reduce the resource use 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 energy use 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, Laboratory Safety, Campus Operations and the Office of Sustainability.
How to become certified as a Green Lab
- Form a group within your lab. It is important to include as many people in your lab as possible. Being green takes a team!
- Complete the Green Lab Audit. Set aside 60 minutes (lab meetings work great) to complete the Green Lab Audit as a team. Email sustainability@boisestate.edu for a copy of the Green Lab Audit Checklist.
- Submit the Green Lab Audit Checklist form by emailing it to sustainability@boisestate.edu. Be sure to include the email and name of the primary contact for the lab prior to submission.
Questions
If you have any questions, please contact sustainability@boisestate.edu
Current initiatives
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
In the Fall of 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 initiative.