Vanderbilt Sustainable Lab Program Overview
Research labs present unique and extensive opportunities to conserve resources while at the same time improving the ability of research areas to withstand disruption.听 The Vanderbilt Sustainable Lab (VSL) program, a Environmental Health, Safety and Sustainability听initiative in collaboration with lab leaders across VU and VUMC, provides guidance for researchers to reduce and mitigate the environmental impact of their operations while helping the university reach its resiliency, sustainability, and waste reduction goals.听
The听 provides guidance for laboratory members to reduce and mitigate the environmental impact of their lab activities.
Vanderbilt Sustainable Lab Program Participation
In addition to using the听听as a resource, researchers can participate in a voluntary certification program. By filling out the self-certification form, your lab team can achieve a certification that can be used for outreach and recruitment.听 听
Your lab group鈥檚 level of certification (participant, bronze, silver, or gold) corresponds with the progress you have made toward the applicable Sustainable Lab Guide action items. The certification levels are as follows:听听
Participant = below 50% progress听
Bronze = 50%-64% progress听
Silver = 65%-79% progress听
Gold = 80%-100% progress听
Become a Part of the Program
- Review the听
- Submit the听听(preview the听听included in the form 鈥� the form should take you 15-20 minutes to complete)
- Receive a digital certificate to display your certification level in your lab and online
- Your certification is valid for three years, after which you will have to recertify to remain in the program 鈥� unless you want to recertify early to improve your certification level!
If you would like assistance implementing sustainable strategies in your lab or completing the checklist, peer advisors are available. Email futurevusustainability@vanderbilt.edu for more information.听