Green Labs
Penn has over 750 labs in over 30 buildings and has an expanding lab footprint, including Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine. Each of these labs present significant opportunities to optimize labs for safety and sustainability. Penn’s Green Labs Program aims to support the lab community to achieve these savings.
Green Labs
Penn has over 750 labs in over 30 buildings and has an expanding lab footprint, including Chemistry, Engineering, and Medicine. Each of these labs present significant opportunities to optimize labs for safety and sustainability. Penn’s Green Labs Program aims to support the lab community to achieve these savings.
At a Glance
The Green Labs Program at Penn aims to improve safety and sustainability through educating and empowering lab staff on best practices in labs.
The Green Labs Program at Penn is supported by a collaboration between the Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) and Penn Sustainability.
Green Labs Working Group
The Green Labs Working Group represents labs from across Penn. This committee helps run outreach efforts and engage labs in sustainable practices. If you are interested in joining, please contact SUSTAINABILITY@UPENN.EDU.
Green Labs Newsletter
The Green Labs newsletter is sent out once a month with information on sustainable events, Green Labs projects, and ways to get involved. Complete this form to be added to the listserv.
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer Rebate Program
The Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) Freezer Efficiency Program was established to reduce the number of old and under-utilized freezers and provide an incentive for the purchase of highly efficient ULT freezers. The program includes incentives for both recycling existing freezers and purchasing new freezers.
International Freezer Challenge
The International Freezer Challenge runs each year from January 1st to July 1st. This challenge promotes friendly competition across organizations. The challenge focuses on cold storage management, including freezers, refrigerators, and cold rooms.
In 2025, Penn came in 18th place out of 112 universities and saved over 372.5 kWh/day!
If your lab has cold storage equipment, sign up for the annual challenge!
Lab Supply Exchange Program
If your lab has usable, unneeded lab supplies or would like to request needed supplies, fill out this form.
EHRS Chemical Inventory
Environmental Health and Radiation Safety requires all laboratories with hazardous chemicals to participate in the Chemical Inventory Program. This program allows labs to share chemicals, which minimizes waste and cuts down on costs.
Reusable Sharps Container Program
The Reusable Sharps Container Program is available to all University laboratories for disposing of biohazardous sharps waste. This program eliminates the cost and waste associated with purchasing disposable containers, as well as the labor and energy associated with autoclaving the waste.