Grizzly Green Labs: Implementing a Green Lab Program at the University of Montana

Research laboratories are a major but often overlooked source of energy consumption and waste in universities. Labs rely on single-use plastics for sterility and energy-intensive equipment, resulting in a substantial environmental impact. Globally, laboratories consume significantly more energy than the average household and generate millions of tons of plastic waste yearly. To address this, many universities worldwide and in the United States have adopted sustainable initiatives through “Green Lab” programs, which have been found to successfully reduce resource consumption while maintaining research integrity. Despite the University of Montana's commitment to sustainability, no university programs or regulations address lab sustainability, even as research activity grows following our R1 designation. To address this gap, we created the Grizzly Green Labs program. In the spring semester, we ran a pilot of this program, which assessed lab operations on campus, provided personalized recommendations for change, assisted with implementation, and created a timeline for future assessment of results. Seven labs participated, across various fields and housed in various buildings on campus. Following the pilot, we organized long-term management of the program through the Office of Sustainability, ensuring continued progress. We assisted with advertisement and recruitment for next semester, and created a management plan for the program to use. Implementing sustainable lab practices will be essential to achieving the University's Climate Action Plan goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and eliminating waste by 2050. More than this, it is a vital step in addressing climate change. If we fail to integrate sustainability into our own scientific practices, we undermine the very solutions we work to develop. See also: Amplified@UM Podcast Episode (May 7, 2025)