SFU Green Labs – a Collaborative Project of the Sustainability Office, Facilities
Services and Science Buildings Energy Committees
Program Accomplishments
The Green Labs program has proven to be a successful model for raising awareness for sustainable
practices among the workplace. The structure that the partnership program has taken on with the
Sustainability Office providing engagement opportunities, dedicated building occupants and
Facilities Services providing the on-site physical adjustments, altogether has proven to be
conducive to the program’s success. This has provided fast and effective implementation of
sustainable actions initiated directly from the Green Labs Committee comprised of building
occupants.
In the South Sciences Building between August 2011 and March 2013, the electricity avoidance is
about 246,000 kWh, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 22 households
and $ 13,000, and the natural gas avoidance is about 1,400 GJ, which is equivalent to the annual gas
consumption of 15 households and $ 7,000.
Since the Shrum Chemistry Centre underwent major renovations completed in late 2011, an annual
energy usage baseline has only recently been completed. The new facility is entirely powered by
electricity, including the heating. The 2012/2013 annual electricity consumption from April 2012
to March 2013 was 4,134,539 kWh, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of
376 households and $220,000.
Below is a chronological timeline of the program’s major progress to date:
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2010: Green Labs program established in South Sciences Building to support BC Hydro
Continuous Optimization building retrofits to reduce energy usage
2011: Shrum Chemistry Centre brought on board after its newly completed LEED Gold
certified renovations
2011: Green Labs Committee formed for the two buildings and meets twice a semester.
January 2012: Shrum Chemistry Open House event with a tour of the building’s energy
saving features and engagement component to raise awareness of the Green Labs program
August 2012: Multiple pot lights removed from naturally lit hallways of SSB as part of
committee initiated energy reduction idea
September 2012: Green Labs Guide completed and available in print and online
September 2012: First inclusion of sustainability in Chemical Lab Safety Orientation
Sustainability/Green Labs now integrated into Chemical Lab Safety training sessions each
semester with plans to expand into all lab safety training sessions
June 2013: Program awarded by the City of Burnaby as an Environmental Star in Green
Choices
Multiple engagement competitions and challenges have taken place to encourage lab
occupants to reduce energy use, waste, and water
Plans for the upcoming year include expanding to all science buildings on campus through a
restructured, voluntary approach. Several labs within SSB and Shrum Chemistry are piloting a
Green Labs Certification, which is planned to be open to all labs in the Fall 2013.