Starczynowski Lab 1st in Ohio to Earn My Green Lab Certification
Post Date: August 19, 2022 | Publish Date:
The Starczynowski Laboratory at Cincinnati Children’s has earned the prestigious My Green Lab Certification. It is the first lab in Ohio and second pediatric hospital lab in the country to earn the honor.
My Green Lab is an international organization promoting a sustainability focus for research and industry operations to reduce the negative impacts their work can have on the environment.
With standards recognized by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, My Green Lab Certification is considered the international gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices.
“The work each of us performs every day is incredibly important but won’t have the impact it deserves if our planet can’t support us,” said Lyndsey Bolanos, Lab Operations Supervisor & Senior Research Assistant. “Imagine the outcome if every lab here adopted greener behaviors. We have the potential to lead by example so we can better mitigate the destruction of our planet to ensure all kids are given their best chance.”
My Green Lab sent an independent survey to everyone working in the lab as baseline. Questions spanned 14 topics relating to sustainability efforts in the lab. My Green Lab used the results to make recommendations rooted in science that could dramatically reduce the environmental impact of the Starczynowski lab without disrupting the critical work the team performs.
The team made changes based on the recommendations, especially focusing on reducing the lab’s waste stream and energy consumption. Once changes were implemented, a follow-up survey was administered to the staff. Results showed the recommended changes were made in the lab and certification was granted.
“Cincinnati Children’s has demonstrated their tremendous commitment to sustainability within the medical sector by achieving My Green Lab Certification,” said Scott Grant, My Green Lab’s Senior Director of Programs. “By being the first lab in Ohio to be certified, the Starczynowski lab has set the bar high to drive lasting, widespread change towards sustainability within the region and beyond.”
Several other research labs at Cincinnati Children’s are also seeking My Green Lab certification. To learn more about that journey, click here.
