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Sustainable Labs

Lab sustainability aims to foster health safety, resource efficiency and waste reduction strategies to minimize the environmental footprint while promoting scientific advancement. Labs account for nearly 44% of energy use at Harvard but take up only around 20% of the space. The Office for Sustainability works with researchers, staff, faculty, and building managers to implement sustainable practices and technologies in lab buildings.

Shut the Sash

  • The “Shut the Sash” chemical fume hood competition started in 2005 within Harvard’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
  • The “Shut the Sash” competition promotes keeping fume hoods closed when not in use to reduce high energy consumption.
  • The initiative expanded to include 19 labs and over 350 researchers, resulting in substantial energy savings and improved lab safety. This makes the “Shut the Sash” competition Harvard’s most impactful behavioral change program for energy conservation.
Labs in the the Shut the Sash Competition are provided feedback in real-time on their fume hood energy use via digital displays reporting cubic-feet-of-air-per-minute (CFM) flow, with signage indicating how that number connects with the lab group's customized goal.

White Papers

These white papers provide detailed insights into how Harvard leads the charge toward healthier, more sustainable labs.

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External Partnerships & Collaborations

Quentin Gilly, Assistant Director, FAS Energy and Sustainability with the Office for Sustainability, and President of the I2SL New England Chapter, (right), leads a tour of I2SL members through the Science and Engineering Complex in the fall of 2022.
Quentin Gilly, Assistant Director, FAS Energy and Sustainability with the Office for Sustainability, and President of the I2SL New England Chapter, (right), leads a tour of I2SL members through the Science and Engineering Complex in the fall of 2022.

Partnerships and collaborations on lab sustainability topics are important both internally and externally.

  • The Office for Sustainability partnered with the City of Cambridge on a multi-year city-wide laboratory benchmarking exercise, which was the largest and most consistent benchmarking dataset of its type ever to be collected from a local area. OFS has also partnered with the City of Cambridge Compact and the Boston Green Ribbon Commission.
  • We partner with the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) on the sharing of best practices and through planning events and lab tours with the New England Chapter.
  • We collaborate with non-profits such as Seeding Labs, My Green Lab, and The Lab Project to lead in making lab sustainability a reality, and with vendors such as Eversource Energy and Green Labs Recycling to pilot innovative technologies aimed at decarbonizing the built environment and reducing waste on campus.

Upcoming Events

Sustainability Events at Harvard

April

11

Friday
1:00 pm-5:00 pm GMT+0000

Harvard Climate Connect: Community-Driven Solutions to Heat-Based Inequity

Climate
Climate Change
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Hear a keynote speech from Dr. Amruta Nori-Sarma about extreme heat and environmental justice within the context of public health. This will be followed by two panels titled Mobilizing Resources for Heat Solutions and Continuing the Work for Environmental Justice. The event will end with a reception and poster session. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

April

08

Tuesday
6:00 pm-7:00 pm GMT+0000

Open to Harvard Community

Sea Monsters on Maps: Myth, Mystery, and Marine Life

Harvard Museum of Natural History
Harvard Museums of Science and Culture

For centuries, sea monsters have adorned maps, serving as both warnings and wonders of the unknown ocean. These artistic depictions reflected early attempts to understand the deep, blending legend with reality. From krakens to serpents, cartographers illustrated creatures based on sailors’ tales, inspiring fear, and curiosity. Over time, these mythical beasts influenced marine biology, shaping early studies of unknown species. Join us as we explore the fascinating history of sea monsters on maps and their role in unraveling the mysteries of the ocean.

April

17

Thursday
9:30 am-12:00 pm GMT+0000

Open to Harvard Community

Charles River Clean-Up

Earth Day
Waste

Schools and departments across the University are partnering with the Charles River Conservancy for a morning of cleaning up trash, microplastics, and debris to support a cleaner, healthier Charles River. The CRC will provide a brief education on the local river watershed and provide tools and training. All Harvard community members and their family and friends are welcome to participate!

April

10

Thursday
12:00 pm-1:00 pm GMT+0000

Open to Harvard Community

Spring HGSE Green Team Meeting

green team
Harvard Graduate School of Edcuation

All HGSE students, faculty, and staff interested in making our school healthier and more sustainable are encouraged to join the HGSE Green Team! Come enjoy a (free!) plant-based and planet-friendly lunch and connect with each other to exchange ideas and explore collaborations. Please RSVP for this in-person event by Wednesday, April 2nd for the meeting so we can plan accordingly to avoid food waste. 

April

22

Tuesday
12:00 pm-2:00 pm GMT+0000

Open to Harvard Community

2025 Earth Day Celebration on Science Center Plaza

Earth Day

Join the Harvard Office for Sustainability and Harvard Common Spaces for an Earth Day Festival on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 from 12 to 2 pm at the Science Center Plaza!