About Us
My Green Lab is fundamentally and permanently improving the sustainability of scientific research. A California non-profit, we were formed to unify and lead scientists, vendors, designers, energy providers, and others in a common drive toward a world in which all research reflects the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. Run “for scientists, by scientists,” we leverage our credibility and track record to develop standards, oversee their implementation, and inspire the many behavioral changes that are needed throughout the scientific community. Though My Green Lab focuses solely on laboratory environments, we believe our activities will excite similar changes across other industries, and in the private lives of the millions of people who spend their time in labs.
Laboratories are one of the next major frontiers in sustainability. The opportunity for energy reduction is enormous and untapped, as laboratories consume as much as five times more energy per square foot than typical offices. This outsized consumption results from energy-intensive equipment, round-the-clock operations, and unique ventilation requirements. Similarly, research facilities also offer disproportionate opportunities for water conservation, waste reduction, and more sustainable selection of reagents and process equipment. A 2015 article in the journal Nature estimated that lab plastics accounted for 12 billion pounds of waste in 2014. While recent years have seen increasing focus on “green” laboratory programs, these efforts are often isolated and institution-specific. Broadly defined to include everything from hospitals and universities to pharmaceutical corporations and regulatory agencies, the research “industry” has lacked a well-managed organization whose sole purpose is to develop and coordinate sustainability efforts and educate stakeholders as to the great potential of these programs.
Since our inception in 2013, My Green Lab has rolled out several nationwide initiatives. Indeed, our members and supporters range from small laboratories to some of the scientific community’s largest corporations and academic institutions. In addition to motivating behavioral changes in and around the lab, for which we emphasize ease and enjoyment of implementation and measurability of results, we are leading data-driven research into resource consumption. Through these latter efforts, in which we partner with equipment manufacturers, engineering firms, and utilities, we are developing the quantitative and qualitative standards against which future sustainability efforts will be measured.
Laboratories are one of the next major frontiers in sustainability. The opportunity for energy reduction is enormous and untapped, as laboratories consume as much as five times more energy per square foot than typical offices. This outsized consumption results from energy-intensive equipment, round-the-clock operations, and unique ventilation requirements. Similarly, research facilities also offer disproportionate opportunities for water conservation, waste reduction, and more sustainable selection of reagents and process equipment. A 2015 article in the journal Nature estimated that lab plastics accounted for 12 billion pounds of waste in 2014. While recent years have seen increasing focus on “green” laboratory programs, these efforts are often isolated and institution-specific. Broadly defined to include everything from hospitals and universities to pharmaceutical corporations and regulatory agencies, the research “industry” has lacked a well-managed organization whose sole purpose is to develop and coordinate sustainability efforts and educate stakeholders as to the great potential of these programs.
Since our inception in 2013, My Green Lab has rolled out several nationwide initiatives. Indeed, our members and supporters range from small laboratories to some of the scientific community’s largest corporations and academic institutions. In addition to motivating behavioral changes in and around the lab, for which we emphasize ease and enjoyment of implementation and measurability of results, we are leading data-driven research into resource consumption. Through these latter efforts, in which we partner with equipment manufacturers, engineering firms, and utilities, we are developing the quantitative and qualitative standards against which future sustainability efforts will be measured.
Our Leadership
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Allison Paradise, CEO and Founder
Allison Paradise is the CEO and founder of My Green Lab. Under her leadership My Green Lab has established itself as a pioneer in laboratory sustainability. The organization developed the first nationally recognized standard for laboratory operations, established the first ENERGY STAR category for laboratory equipment, and recently released the first eco-label for laboratory products. Allison regularly speaks at industry meetings and scientific conferences on laboratory sustainability. She holds degrees in neuroscience from Brown and Harvard. |
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Rachael Relph, Chief Sustainability Officer
Rachael Relph is the Chief Sustainability Officer at My Green Lab. Working with educational and research institutions across North America, Rachael helps scientists adopt greener laboratory practices through our My Green Lab Certification Program, as well as educational and outreach activities. Rachael holds a PhD in Chemistry from Yale University, and previously led sustainability and Design for Environment programs for major life-science companies. |
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Ritika Singh, Green Labs Program Manager
Ritika Singh is the Green Labs Program Manager at My Green Lab. Ritika organizes outreach events, conducts assessment analysis, and provides support for lab sustainability efforts and initiatives. Ritika holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Prior to joining My Green Lab, Ritika worked as a researcher in a marine biology laboratory and as an outdoor educator with a focus on environmental and ecological sciences. |