My Green Lab is fundamentally and permanently improving the sustainability of scientific research. As a 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.
Our work has been featured in Science, Nature, Women in Science, Medium, and Sustainable Brands. Our efforts have been celebrated by the Department of Human Health and Services, the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL).
Our work has been featured in Science, Nature, Women in Science, Medium, and Sustainable Brands. Our efforts have been celebrated by the Department of Human Health and Services, the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL).
FAQs
Why do we need green labs?
Laboratories are resource-intensive spaces.
But they don't need to be. The outsized consumption of labs is mostly out of habit rather than intention.
Laboratories also comprise a market that is just over half the size of the automotive industry - we're a huge industry! If we were to divert just 2% of lab plastics from landfill it would be the equivalent to saving 100 million metric tons of CO2.
Laboratories also comprise a market that is just over half the size of the automotive industry - we're a huge industry! If we were to divert just 2% of lab plastics from landfill it would be the equivalent to saving 100 million metric tons of CO2.
What does my green lab do?
My Green Lab is a non-profit organization with a mission to build a culture of sustainability through science. We approach this mission in two ways:
1) Through our programs, we help people rethink the 'way things have always been done' to identify new approaches that also reduce the environmental impact of their work. This new way of thinking changes the culture in the lab from 'follow the protocol' to 'does this make sense/is there a better, more sustainable approach?' People who participate in our programs are often inspired to implement changes in their personal lives as well, thus creating a culture of sustainability in all aspects of our lives.
2) It's important that we have data to support the recommendations we make. My Green Lab gathers data on sustainable best practices and shares it with our community. In this way, we provide the scientific basis for making a change to the culture in the lab.
1) Through our programs, we help people rethink the 'way things have always been done' to identify new approaches that also reduce the environmental impact of their work. This new way of thinking changes the culture in the lab from 'follow the protocol' to 'does this make sense/is there a better, more sustainable approach?' People who participate in our programs are often inspired to implement changes in their personal lives as well, thus creating a culture of sustainability in all aspects of our lives.
2) It's important that we have data to support the recommendations we make. My Green Lab gathers data on sustainable best practices and shares it with our community. In this way, we provide the scientific basis for making a change to the culture in the lab.
how has my green lab impacted lab culture?
When My Green Lab first started in 2013, there were fewer than 10 organizations with a program dedicated to laboratory sustainability. Today there are over 100 worldwide, and that number is quickly growing. We have certified over 400 lab groups and have worked with tens of thousands of scientists.
Not only is the culture changing in the lab, but it's also changing in the companies that support labs. Companies are designing and packaging their products with sustainability in mind. Over 250 products have been labeled with our ACT eco-label, and that number is quickly growing.
We're well on our way towards our goal of having every lab be a green lab by 2030!
Not only is the culture changing in the lab, but it's also changing in the companies that support labs. Companies are designing and packaging their products with sustainability in mind. Over 250 products have been labeled with our ACT eco-label, and that number is quickly growing.
We're well on our way towards our goal of having every lab be a green lab by 2030!
how is My Green lab funded?
As a non-profit, we rely on the support of our community to fund the organization. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, whose generous donations help us fund our programs and outreach activities.
Our Leadership Team
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James Connelly, Chief Executive Officer
One of the most influential leaders in the corporate sustainability and green building movement today, James Connelly is the Chief Executive Officer of My Green Lab. James is a frequent keynote speaker on regenerative design, sustainable business, and laboratory sustainability. He is an avid writer, and his research and commentary have been featured in news outlets such as China Dialogue, CGTN TV, Engineering News Record, Building Green, Trim Tab, Sustainable Brands, and GreenBiz. |
Before joining My Green Lab James was the Vice President of Strategic Growth for the International Living Future Institute, where he led international growth strategy and became a founding board member of Living Future Institute Europe. During this time, James managed strategic sustainability consulting with some of the world’s most progressive companies and institutions, including Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Cleveland Clinic, the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and Harvard University.
During his time at ILFI, James created several leading-edge sustainability programs, including Declare, an innovative ingredient transparency label for non-toxic building products, Living Product Challenge, the world’s most advanced sustainability standard for building products, Just, a social equity label for organizations, and Zero Carbon Building Certification.
James has won numerous scholarships and awards for his research and work; notably, he received a 2012 Fulbright Fellowship to research on green building rating systems in China, was selected as a Greenbiz 30 under 30 Sustainable Business Leader in 2016, and a Net Zero Energy Trailblazer in 2019.
During his time at ILFI, James created several leading-edge sustainability programs, including Declare, an innovative ingredient transparency label for non-toxic building products, Living Product Challenge, the world’s most advanced sustainability standard for building products, Just, a social equity label for organizations, and Zero Carbon Building Certification.
James has won numerous scholarships and awards for his research and work; notably, he received a 2012 Fulbright Fellowship to research on green building rating systems in China, was selected as a Greenbiz 30 under 30 Sustainable Business Leader in 2016, and a Net Zero Energy Trailblazer in 2019.
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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 around the world, 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. 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. |
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Christina Greever, Operations Manager
Christina is the Operations Manager at My Green Lab. She serves as an initial point of contact within the organization, does communications including our newsletter and all social media, and provides additional admin support. Christina holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Prior to joining My Green Lab, Christina was the Program Assistant and Outreach Coordinator for the Green Labs Program at the University of Colorado Boulder. |