SUSTAINABILITY “My Green Lab”: Successful Certification for Natural and Life Science Laboratories
21 July 2025
23 facilities at Heidelberg University have successfully undergone evaluation process on the way towards more sustainability
23 laboratories at Heidelberg University have participated successfully in the international certification program “My Green Lab”. In the context of this evaluation process, they made an extensive effort to reduce their energy, resource and water consumption on a sustainable and long-term basis. 13 of these facilities, most of which are from the life sciences, were even awarded the best possible status, green. As of now, more laboratories can register for the program.
“Participating in ‘My Green Lab’ has brought about a steep rise in awareness of sustainable action in laboratory operations,” says Prof. Dr Suat Özbek. The biochemist initiated and guided the certification process for the laboratory of the “Evolutionary Neurobiology” research group at the Centre for Organismal Studies (COS). “We have implemented numerous changes – from framing specific sustainability goals, to replacing inefficient devices, to appointing sustainability officers in many COS laboratories and establishing a joint Recycling Point for office and laboratory materials.” In addition, information on the topic of sustainability has been integrated into the safety briefings that all staff attend every six months.
Dr Melanie Krebs from the laboratory of the “Cell Biology” research group at COS assesses the effects of the certification as extremely positive: “Sustainability has so far mainly been a concern of those already interested in it. The certification process has taken the topic to a wider audience.” The effects at COS are tangible and visible. In the laboratories there are posters urging “Green Your Lab” and giving tips for sustainable action. Laboratory vessels are recycled to a greater degree, instead of being disposed of, and electrical devices are equipped with switches in order to separate them wherever possible from the mains or ‘choke’ the current. “These are only single, small steps,” says Melanie Krebs, “but they have an impact when added up.”
“A great additional benefit of the certification process consists in exchange and networking among the participating laboratories on the issue of sustainability,” underlines Prof. Dr Karin Schumacher, Vice-Rector for Quality Development and Sustainability at Heidelberg University. The Centre for Organismal Studies is a good example of this, she says. “Together we were able to identify challenges and lasting synergies arose.” That is why the Rectorate has decided to encourage more laboratories to take part in “My Green Lab”. Interested research groups can register by email with Narasimha Sushil, climate protection manager in the Planning, Construction and Safety division of Heidelberg University: narasimha.sushil@zuv.uni-heidelberg.de.
My Green Lab
The evaluation process consists of five steps. First, advisors from “My Green Lab” assess the starting situation of the laboratories and recommend ways of making improvements for sustainable operations. The scientists then have six to eight months’ time to implement the interventions suggested by “My Green Lab” based on the feedback from the respective laboratory. Depending on how much energy, resource and water consumption was saved, the certification takes place with bronze, silver, gold and platinum, or given a success rate of 80 percent, with green. This status was achieved by 13 of the 23 Heidelberg natural and life science laboratories that have gone through this evaluation process since last year. “My Green Lab” is a public-benefit organization based in San Diego, California (USA). With its eponymous certification program it aims to establish sustainable standards in the research operations of science laboratories and to promote their implementation.