Communicate with operations staff
Problem: Operations staff members have many opportunities to conserve materials and energy and they provide vital support to laboratories. When presented with recurring problems they may resort to expensive solutions without ideas and support from researchers. Also, researchers are often unaware of their efforts towards sustainability. Operations staff may already have great ideas or be implementing projects that you could help with.
Solution: Introduce yourself to operations staff and problem solve with them. Simple brainstorming can solve escalating problems by getting to the root of the difficulty, which researchers understand best. Simple repairs, or training and awareness of lab workers may suffice. Two examples come to mind: 1) a darkroom door only opened partially and forced a custodian into an awkward position where he scraped his head on a protruding tray. Problem solving with workman’s compensation supervisor pointed to trimming ¼” off the door rather than re-hanging it in a different direction. 2) Autoclaved wastes are limited to 20# per bag, yet with the start of classes it appeared that bags with a lot more liquid waste were accumulating, and occasionally puncturing and spraying the custodian. Rather than purchase an all-weather hydraulic lift for the trash can, an email to the department raised awareness about limiting autoclaved liquids in the trash.
Make suggestions and offer help to set up recycling stations or request Environmentally Preferred Products (EPP) when making purchases. Be sure to thank them for their efforts. Explain the benefits of your requests and the importance of conservation. Ask for their ideas.
Benefits: This will help establish regular conservation practices and open communication lines across academic and operations staff.
Costs: A little bit of your time and a few smiles.
