2017 Fall Theme: Sustainable Purchasing
Free Lunch and Learn: Nov 7, 2017
Join us on Tuesday, November 7, 11:45am-1:15pm to learn about UBC’s sustainable purchasing initiatives and how you can promote best practices in your lab and workspace.
Speakers from sustainable lab plastics manufacturer Labcon, energy efficient ultra-low temperature freezer manufacturer Stirling Ultracold, and the Green Labs Committee will share tips on how you can reduce the environmental impact of your lab purchasing decisions.
Register now!
UBC Sustainable Purchasing Guide
Did you know UBC purchases more than 2000 cases of disposable serological pipets each year? That’s 400,000 pipets – stacked together they would extend 136 km, from the UBC Vancouver campus all the way to Whistler!
UBC researchers are starting to make a difference by choosing sustainable products and services that reduce energy, water, solid and hazardous waste. Minimize your impact and help your lab align with UBC’s Climate Action Plan, UBC’s Zero Waste Action Plan, and 20-Year Sustainability Strategy targets.
Making purchases for your lab or office? Consult the online Sustainable Purchasing Guide before you buy. This guide features tips for 14 commodity areas and an ecolabel glossary to help you purchase sustainable goods and services.
The guide includes a new section on Scientific Supplies Purchasing for lab consumables and equipment purchases, and an updated Green Products List with samples of recommended products and vendors.
Congratulations to our Spring 2017 Green Labs Winner
Congratulations to Anne Thomas from Chemistry, who won a $100 MEC gift card for her participation in our Spring 2017 Green Labs events.
Find out how you could be a winner too.
UBC Sustainable Revolving Fund
Is your department or lab planning a project that involves investing in equipment or processes to reduce your consumption of energy, water or other resources?
If so, you may qualify for the Sustainable Revolving Fund. This fund provides $10,000 – $100,000 to spend on projects that achieve a net cost benefit through utility or material savings. Savings are tracked and used to replenish the fund for the next round of investments.
Project examples include upgrading equipment to be more energy efficient; or adding a system to recover and reuse chemicals, avoiding costs to purchase new chemicals.
More information, including criteria and application procedures, can be found here.
Want to save energy and save money? We may be able to help!
Does your lab plan on purchasing one or more Ultra-Low Temperature Freezers (ULT) in the next year? Or is your lab running a ULT that is 12 years or older?
ULT freezers are energy intensive, often consuming as much energy as a single family home. Reliable energy efficient ULT models are now on the market.
We have an idea: We are looking into the feasibility of helping departments to jointly procure energy efficient ULT models or replace old energy hogs. If your lab might be interested, please email hannah.land@ubc.ca
Prevent Wastewater Pollution at UBC
As a follow-up from our Spring 2017 theme, Preventing Wastewater Pollution, please watch this introductory video to learn about Metro Vancouver’s proposal to implement Pollution Prevention Plans for research laboratories.
Read more
Green Labs Audience Survey
Thanks to all who participated in the Green Labs audience survey and shared your feedback about the program. We are compiling results and using your feedback to help inform an updated strategic plan for the Green Labs Program.
Congratulations to our lucky winner of the survey prize draw, Miranda Meents from Botany, who won a $50 gift certificate to the UBC Bookstore.
5 things to do after reading this newsletter
- Share the new UBC Sustainable Purchasing Guide with your lab or building manager.
- Invite a friend and RSVP for the upcoming Lunch and Learn.
- Review the UBC Green Products list to find sustainable alternatives to products you currently use.
- Consolidate orders and deliveries to reduce packing and shipping impacts.
- Visit the Green Labs website to find out how else you can get involved—and become eligible to win prizes.
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