Research laboratories are essential to discovery at the University of Michigan. They are also among the most resource-intensive spaces on campus.
Ultra-low temperature freezers run continuously, specialized equipment consumes significant energy, and many experiments rely on single-use materials. Across the research community, faculty, lab managers and students are increasingly exploring ways to reduce those impacts while continuing to advance cutting-edge research.
At U-M, a growing initiative is helping bring those conversations together.
Last February, more than 140 researchers and staff attended the university’s first Sustainable Lab Summit, organized by the Office of Campus Sustainability. The event brought together participants from across disciplines to share strategies for reducing waste, conserving energy and improving sustainability in research environments.
SUSTAINABLE LAB MINI SUMMITS
The events are open to researchers from the Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses. Attendees are welcome to attend for part or all of the programs.
March 24 — Equipment Sharing
• North Campus Research Complex, South Atrium (G063 and ACR1)
• Noon to 4 p.m.
• Discussion will focus on opportunities for labs to maximize the use of specialized instruments and reduce duplicate purchases. A zero-waste, low-carbon lunch will be provided. Participants at the NCRC event will also have the opportunity to take home plants grown on campus.
March 25 — Waste Reduction: Ditch the Disposables
• Weiser Hall, 10th floor
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Participants will explore strategies to reduce disposable materials and improve purchasing practices in laboratories.
“The Sustainable Lab Summit was inspiring,” said Sarah Spanninga, research lab specialist senior at the U-M Biointerfaces Institute. “It was very interesting to see the multitude of ways to think about and try to solve sustainability problems both within the University of Michigan and the research world. I’m looking forward to the mini summits, which will bring attention to the topics of shared equipment and ditching disposables.”
The conversations sparked at the summit led to the creation of the U-M Sustainable Research Advisory Committee, a cross-campus group working to develop practical guidance for labs.
The committee focused on two areas where researchers say meaningful progress can be made: waste reduction and equipment sharing. Working with partners across campus, the group has developed guides and tools designed to help labs reduce disposable materials, improve purchasing practices and make better use of shared research equipment.
Later this month, those resources will be highlighted during two Sustainable Lab Mini Summits, which will bring researchers together to learn about the new materials and share ideas.
“The summit last year showed how much interest there is across campus in making research more sustainable,” said Alexandria Galens of the Office of Campus Sustainability. “The mini summits are an opportunity to share what we’ve learned and help labs identify practical steps they can take.”
Some sustainability solutions are already gaining traction across campus. One example is the Lab Swap Shop, a program that allows research groups to exchange surplus lab supplies rather than sending them to the landfill. Since launching, the initiative has helped divert more than 20,000 pounds of laboratory materials while avoiding over $1 million in research spending compared to buying new.
MORE INFORMATION
Organizers say even small operational changes can add up to meaningful environmental and financial benefits when adopted across the university’s research enterprise.
The mini summits are open to researchers from the Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses, and participants are welcome to attend for part or all of the program.
For organizers, the broader goal is to continue embedding sustainability into everyday research practices across the university.
“U-M researchers are known for tackling complex challenges,” Galens said. “Advancing sustainable lab practices is another way that spirit of innovation can translate into everyday operations.”
The upcoming mini summits are designed to help translate that momentum into practical action by sharing new tools and strategies with the research community.
