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Do Your Part to Achieve Zero Waste

Do Your Part to Achieve Zero Waste

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One of Berkeley Lab’s key sustainability goals is to divert at least 90% of solid waste material from the landfill through recycling and composting. 

In 2020, the Lab diverted 74% of solid waste. To achieve 90%, every member of the Berkeley Lab community must do their part. Custodians have been working hard throughout the pandemic to keep everyone safe; as a result, personal waste bin collection has been suspended and onsite staff need to empty their own waste bins. 

The good news is, Lab waste audits show that when people sort at waste stations, waste diversion increases from 15% to 68%! As an added benefit, trips to the waste station make great ergo breaks.

To help reduce total waste, bring your own reusable food containers, cutlery, beverage containers.

Learn More >

Celebrate & Participate in Earth Month this April

Celebrate & Participate in Earth Month this April

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Earth Month reminds us to conserve water and energy, recycle, and take care of our home planet and all of its inhabitants.

Find out ways you can celebrate and participate on the Earth Day Website.

Berkeley Lab Sustainability Featured in DOE Publications

Berkeley Lab Sustainability Featured in DOE Publications

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Berkeley Lab’s energy and water management program was recently highlighted in several Department of Energy publications. A cross-functional team oversees the program, helping to ensure the Lab’s energy and water management activities are strategic, effective, and persistent.

View the articles:

Lab Sustainability Progress & Plan for the Future

Lab Sustainability Progress & Plan for the Future

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The FY 2020 report on the Lab’s sustainability performance is available in this Summary. See highlights below.

Current and planned sustainability activities at the Lab are covered in a new draft Plan for a Sustainable Berkeley Lab. Feedback on the Plan is welcome via this form.

Highlights for FY 2020 include four Sustainability Awards, and improvements over FY19 in nearly every category.

Integrative Genomics Building Receives LEED Gold

Integrative Genomics Building Receives LEED Gold

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The Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) has achieved LEED Gold, and is the Lab’s seventh building to earn LEED certification for sustainable building design. Key sustainability highlights of IGB include:

  • On track to use just 36% of the energy of the Walnut Creek facility it replaced. This estimate is weather-corrected, factoring in the difference in climate between the two locations.
  • Using electric heat pumps rather than natural gas for space and water heating, so that greenhouse gas emissions will decline as the grid is decarbonized. 
  • Two electric vehicle charging stations installed as part of construction.
  • IGB is the Lab’s first Zero-waste building – occupants have no personal waste bins, and an ambitious employee group is actively pursuing zero waste strategies for the building.
  • The Lab’s Sustainability Standards for New Construction policy informed IGB’s design, and was in turn updated based on knowledge gained from building IGB.

More about IGB Sustainability >

Report: Energy System Resilience @ the Lab & Beyond

Report: Energy System Resilience @ the Lab & Beyond

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Researchers from the Energy Technologies Area, in collaboration with the Lab’s Chief Sustainability Officer John Elliott, released a report on Improving Energy System Resilience at Berkeley Lab and Beyond. The report provides recommendations for resilience planning at the Lab, such as: 

  • moving towards a flexible microgrid, to allow parts of the Lab to island from the grid
  • incorporating renewables and storage, and 
  • exploring a “living laboratory” model that integrates Lab research with the Lab’s resilience infrastructure improvements.

Water Conservation: Always a Good Idea

Water Conservation: Always a Good Idea

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California is a drought-prone state with sparse rainfall from mid-spring to mid-fall. Compounding last winter’s below-average precipitation in Northern California, NOAA has forecast a La Niña event and continued drought conditions.

Lab Efforts to Date

  • Installed new water metering to better track usage
  • Established monitoring to optimize cooling tower water and avoid periodic single-pass cooling
  • Established policies on water management, irrigation, low-flow fixtures, and no single-pass cooling
  • Certified energy & water management practices to an international standard
  • Installed low-flow restroom fixtures

How You Can Help
Individual actions add up. B90 water use is down 44%, partly through conservation.

Water Conservation at home

Berkeley Lab’s Energy Management Certified to ISO 50001

Berkeley Lab’s Energy Management Certified to ISO 50001

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The Lab became officially certified to ISO 50001 in September, 2020, after a multi-year effort to strengthen its energy and water management practices.

  • ISO 50001 is a voluntary, international standard for managing and improving energy performance.
  • Following 50001 helps ensure the Lab’s energy and water management activities are strategic, effective, and persistent.
  • The effort is led by a multidisciplinary Lab team, and coordinated closely with the EH&S Environmental Management System under ISO 14001.
  • The Lab was also recognized by DOE as ISO 50001 Ready in June 2020, through a program jointly developed by DOE and Berkeley Lab’s Energy Technologies Area.

More about the Lab’s ISO 50001 implementation >

Reduce Waste Onsite: Empty Your Bin & Go Reusable

Reduce Waste Onsite: Empty Your Bin & Go Reusable

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Empty Your Personal Waste Bin
Due to COVID, custodians are no longer emptying personal waste bins at the Lab Hill site. This promotes your safety and theirs by: 

  • minimizing unnecessary contact 
  • focusing their efforts on expanded cleaning protocol. 

Please sort your trash at central waste stations per the guidance at wasteguide.lbl.gov, and do your part to support the Lab’s waste diversion goals.

More about Lab Services During COVID >

 

Get a Free Reusable Cutlery Set

How can you do away with frustrating disposable utensils and reduce waste? Get a free stainless cutlery set. Much studier than disposable utensils, this set comes in a handy zippered pouch. One set per person, it will be sent to your mailstop. Request yours here.

More Tips on Bringing Your Own >

UC Policy to Ban Single Use Plastics

UC Policy to Ban Single Use Plastics

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The University of California has enacted a policy to phase out single-use plastics across all of its campuses.

  • Berkeley Lab is part of this goal and has been working to reduce use of single use plastics with initiatives such as distributing free reusable cutlery.
  • Part of UC’s commitment to reduce waste, the policy includes phasing out plastic bags, single-use plastic food service items, and plastic bottles.
  • Plastics have a significant impact on the environment during manufacturing, disposal, and even recycling, though only a small fraction, especially single-use items, are ever recycled.

Learn more about the policy.

Tips for Reuse during COVID

Tips for Reuse during COVID

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Takeaways from an article by MIT staff member, Kim Schive, on safety of reusables in the time of COVID-19: 

  • COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been no documented cases of COVID-19 that can be attributed to contact with a contaminated surface.
  • Reusables are just as safe, if not safer than disposables. A “health expert statement” released at the end of June, signed by over 125 experts, agrees.
  • Single-use plastics are significantly detrimental to public health and the environment from manufacturing through disposal.
  • The plastics industry disproportionately impacts low-income communities and/or communities of color, which are the very populations being disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Bring back your reusable mugs, bags, and containers!

  • When in doubt, ask the store ahead of time.
  • For additional info on reusable bags, see Stop Waste’s FAQ.
  • If you’d like your own reusable cutlery set, fill out this Google Form and we’ll send one to your Mail Stop (while supplies last).

As we continue to practice good personal hygiene, it’s important to differentiate between what is effective and backed by scientific facts, and what some people call “Hygiene Theater” – actions that make us feel safer, but don’t actually reduce risk.

More Tips on Reuse and Avoiding Plastics

IGB Zero Waste Team Gets Results

IGB Zero Waste Team Gets Results

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The Zero Waste Team at Berkeley Lab’s Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) has been working hard to improve sustainability, including reducing the amount of waste produced by their labs.

  • After establishing over 125 specialized waste stations, their diversion rate has greatly improved.
  • In March, the team was recognized with a SPOT Award for their exemplary efforts to achieve zero waste goal.
  • Learn more about IGB’s recycling programs and results

DOE Awards for NERSC efficiency, IGB, and Dale Sartor

DOE Awards for NERSC efficiency, IGB, and Dale Sartor

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On August 20th, the Lab was recognized (virtually) by the Department of Energy (DOE) in three sustainability topics:

  • The NERSC Efficiency Optimization Team was selected to receive an award in the Sustainable High Performance Computing (HPC)/Data Center category. More >
  • The Integrative Genomics Building was selected to receive an Honorable Mention for the Outstanding Sustainability Program/Project category. 
  • Dale Sartor, a retired ETA Staff Engineer, was selected to receive a 2020 DOE Sustainability Award for Lifetime Achievement. 

See more Sustainability Awards.

Learn to Garden & Compost at Home

Learn to Garden & Compost at Home

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Food scraps can either be landfilled and contribute to climate change, or be composted into valuable soil for your home garden. Learn how to put them to good use with these resources:

Berkeley Lab wins award for IGB

Berkeley Lab wins award for IGB

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Berkeley Lab’s Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) received the UC’s highest recognition for sustainability in new construction, a Best Practice Award for Overall Sustainable Design.

Sustainability Stewardship, Policy, and Progress

Sustainability Stewardship, Policy, and Progress

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Everyone plays a role in helping the Lab meet its sustainability goals for Energy / Climate, Waste, and Water, which are set by Federal, State, and UC policy, and reinforced in the Lab’s policy on Sustainable Operations.

What is Your Role?

  • Use energy & water wisely – turn off when not in use
  • Report leaks and potential energy waste, and submit your improvement ideas
  • Sort your waste, and make sure you know where to throw by visiting the Waste Guide
  • Purchase energy- and water- efficient products
  • Learn more about your role and submitting feedback >

How is the Lab Doing?

  • The Lab’s natural gas consumption has gone down 20% since 2015. 
  • The Lab is getting more energy efficient – with energy use intensity down 21% since 2015. 
  • This progress is the result of a lot of hard work tuning up buildings, supported by the Lab’s energy and water management policies and practices, aligned with the ISO 50001 international energy management standard.
  • See more data >

Join Plastic-Free July – More Important than Ever

Join Plastic-Free July – More Important than Ever

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Yes, you can reduce single-use (disposable) plastic – even now!
Check out the Lab’s Plastic Free July Website! Highlights include:

 

  • Learn to BYO* in a COVID World 
    • When in doubt – ASK if you can use your own items!
    • Most stores allow you to return items to your cart at the cashier, then bag in your reusable bags once outside
    • In Berkeley you can now bring your own mug / bag if you don’t place it on a surface; keep bags in your cart and bag your own items at the register. (But ask first, as some stores have more stringent practices).
    • More Tips >

* BYO = Bring Your Own… coffee mug, water bottle, cutlery, shopping bag (not just for groceries – pharmacy, clothing stores, hardware, take-out, anywhere!)

 

Home Composting Webinar

Home Composting Webinar

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Sheltering in place has encouraged many of us to spend more time at home with our nourishing yards, gardens, and plants, and composting is a great tool to help us do that!

Anyone can home compost, even in a small apartment. Learn the basics and benefits, and why it’s so important for everyone to compost food waste.

Learn more with these Compost & Gardening Resources

The June 8th webinar will cover —

  • How to turn waste into natural fertilizer for your container garden or yard
  • The environmental benefits of “closing the loop” at home
  • Which option is right for you, and how to get started, from a a small worm bin to a large backyard yard waste pile
  • +Add to Calendar

Virtual Earth Month – Get Involved!

Virtual Earth Month – Get Involved!

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2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!

And Earth Month is going Virtual this year!

Visit earthday.lbl.gov to find out what’s happening in the month of April, and ways to participate.

Energy Efficiency Innovation at NERSC

Energy Efficiency Innovation at NERSC

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Big advancements in efficient computing are happening as a result of cross-Lab collaboration including SBL, the National Energy Scientific Research Computing Center (NERSC), and the Energy Technologies Area (ETA) and its decades of research and expertise.

See the full article

Lab Sustainable Operations Policy Finalized

Lab Sustainable Operations Policy Finalized

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The Lab established a new Policy for Sustainable Operations. Topics include Individual and Lab responsibilities relative to —

  • Energy and Water Management, which aligns with the Lab’s implementation of ISO 50001,
  • Waste Reduction and Materials Management
  • Green Cleaning & Pest Control

View the Policy

Lab Annual Sustainability Report

Lab Annual Sustainability Report

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The Lab has completed its Annual Sustainability Report for FY 2019. For more details, see —

 

Key highlights —

  • Waste Diversion is at 75%
  • Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are 29% below 2008 levels
  • Energy Use Intensity has decreased 14% since 2015
  • Improvements in Computing Efficiency
  • Four Sustainability Awards

Do Your Part to Save Energy over Shutdown

Do Your Part to Save Energy over Shutdown

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The Lab works hard to save energy over the shutdown.
Everyone can do their part by doing the following before leaving for the break —
  • Power off computers, monitors, peripherals, power strips, and any equipment that does not need to be running over the break.
  • Shut fume hood sashes.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Close doors and windows.
  • And empty perishables out of breakroom refrigerators to avoid surprises in January!

Lab Wins DOE Award for Innovative Improvement in Buildings

Lab Wins DOE Award for Innovative Improvement in Buildings

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On behalf of the Better Buildings Smart Lab Accelerator, the Department of Energy selected Berkeley Lab to receive an “Accelerating Smart Labs” Project Award. The award recognizes the Lab’s innovative approach to improving its building operations through an ongoing commissioning (OCx) process.

A partnership between SBL and Facilities, the Lab’s high-performing OCx team has refined a highly efficient and rigorous process for identifying and correcting energy and water waste in buildings, and ensuring those corrections stick. 

The award was presented at the annual International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) Conference in October. 

See the Lab’s efficiency savings since 2015.

On America Recycles Day, Lab’s Progress toward 90% Diversion

On America Recycles Day, Lab’s Progress toward 90% Diversion

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November 15th is America Recycles Day.

  • Get inspired, and discover new facts and ways to recycle at the above website
  • See the Lab’s progress toward 90% waste diversion by 2020
  • Check out how YOUR building is doing
  • Learn Your Role in contributing to the Lab’s sustainability targets
  • Check out the Waste Guide to learn which bin to use for what item.
  • Remember the 3 Rs — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Recycling is important, but reducing what you have to throw in any bin is best!

Lab community feedback improves Sustainable Operations policy

Lab community feedback improves Sustainable Operations policy

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The draft Sustainable Standards for Operations policy, to be published in the Lab’s Requirements & Policies Manual (RPM), was shared with a wide Lab audience through emails, stakeholder meetings, Elements, and the SBL website. See the resulting changes in the following documents — 

We appreciate the time everyone took to participate in the process and provide thoughtful feedback, which helped strengthen and improve the policy. See prior post for more about the Policy

Lab wins two DOE Sustainability Awards

Lab wins two DOE Sustainability Awards

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The Lab was chosen for two 2019 Department of Energy Sustainability Awards 

1) Pat Thorson, who retired from the Lab earlier this year, received a Lifetime Achievement Award as a Sustainable Champion. Pat’s hard work, commitment, and dedication to sustainability spanned his 28-year Lab career. He led the Lab’s Environmental Management System and meteorological monitoring, initiated the Lab’s waste diversion program, and was instrumental in a wide range of sustainability initiatives including air quality, wastewater treatment, electronics recycling, and commute surveys. He led by example in many ways, including being one of the Lab’s first e-bike commuters.

2) The Lab’s Policy on Sustainability Standards for New Construction was selected for the Outstanding Sustainability Project category. Learn more

The awards were presented at the DOE Energy Exchange Conference in August. 

Your Feedback Wanted: Draft Policy on Sustainable Operations

Your Feedback Wanted: Draft Policy on Sustainable Operations

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SBL invites Lab Community feedback on the Draft Sustainability Standards for Operations, targeting publication in October, 2019. Topics are listed below. Submit your comments by Friday, 9/13/19.

Energy and Water

  • Commitment to Energy and Water Management
  • Lighting Standards – LEDs & Controls
  • No Ongoing, Automated Landscape Irrigation
  • Water-Conserving Restroom Fixtures
  • No Single-Pass Cooling

Zero Waste and Waste Reduction

Green Cleaning & Pest Control

How Are You Reducing Single-Use Plastics?

How Are You Reducing Single-Use Plastics?

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Join SBL on Tues, July 30th at 12pm in Pers Hall (54-130) to discuss:

  • Are recyclables getting recycled or ending up in the ocean?
  • How is SBL making plastic reduction easier and how can you participate?
  • Tips for keeping veggies crisp without plastic bags; remembering to bring your own cup
  • How you can try reusable takeout containers at the Cafeteria  
  • Share your experience with Plastic Free July by attending, adding thoughts to the virtual whiteboard!
  • Partial Session Recording

Plastic Free Profile: JULIA
How do you reduce your plastic use?

  • use a reusable water bottle 
  • bring my metal cutlery set to work
  • take reusable bags to the grocery store 
  • fill reusable containers in the bulk section at Berkeley Bowl

Why Reduce Plastics?

Focusing on my plastic consumption is something I try to do every day by practicing conscious consumerism and being mindful of what I really need. While plastic pollution is only a puzzle piece in our current climate crisis, it’s important to focus on because everyone has the opportunity to make a difference by adjusting their daily routine. Your individual actions can go a long way, especially when you talk about your decisions and changes you’ve made with the people you know. 

 Julia

Zero Waste Intern Julia Sherman tabling at the Cafeteria during Plastic Free July. Employees made Plastic Free commitments on sticky notes.

 

SBL Award for Innovative, Sustainable Building Operations

SBL Award for Innovative, Sustainable Building Operations

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While finding energy waste in buildings is easy, the challenge lies in understanding and correcting underlying problems, and ensuring they stay corrected. In July, the Lab received a Best Practice Award at the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference for its pioneering approach to improving how buildings operate. The Lab’s ongoing building commissioning team uses SkySpark, a sophisticated data visualization tool, as part of their innovative and highly effective process to continually identify, measure, prioritize, and address building problems, as well as monitor and maintain corrections and energy savings.

Pictured: Deirdre Carter, Chris Weyandt, Raphael Vitti (kW Engineering), John Elliott

Join Plastic-Free July

Join Plastic-Free July

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SBL encourages you to join millions of people and take the Plastic Free July Challenge to reduce single-use plastic waste.

Ways to Participate (also on SBL calendar):

  • Get an overview of the global plastic crisis – Mon 7/1 at 7pm at the Hillside Club in Berkeley
  • Stop by the Cafeteria to chat with SBL about plastics, sign up to take the Challenge, and learn why the Cafeteria is switching from bioplastic — that goes to landfill — to fiber based takeout ware and cutlery (12-1:30 on Tues 7/2, Weds 7/10, Tues 7/16, and Tues 7/23)
  • Share your Challenge experience on Tues 7/30 at noon in the B50 Auditorium — bring your recycling questions and learn why reducing is more important than recycling

About the Plastic Free July Challenge
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. Visit Plastic Free July for resources and ideas for reducing single-use plastic waste in July and everyday, and Choose Your Challenge:

  • Avoid takeaway items (bags, bottles, straws, and beverage cups)
  • Avoid products in single-use plastic packaging
  • Avoid all single-use plastics

Take the Plastic Free July Challenge >

Learn More Ideas for Bringing Your Own >

Waste Diversion – How is Your Building Doing?

Waste Diversion – How is Your Building Doing?

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The Lab has ambitious goals to —

  • divert 90% of our waste from landfill by 2020
  • cut the overall waste (generated per person in 2016) in half by 2030.

To help meet these goals, SBL has been collecting waste data since 2016 to identify opportunities for improvement. Over 100 audits have been conducted, an average three for each main building.

View the Waste Audit Data to see where your building ranks (select building from the drop down menu on the upper right hand side of the page). 

Learn More about the Waste Audit Program 

Newly Updated Lab Policy for Sustainable Construction

Newly Updated Lab Policy for Sustainable Construction

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The Lab has updated its Sustainability Standards for New Construction (SSNC). The SSNC were first published in the Lab’s online Requirements & Procedures Manual (RPM) in 2013. The standards have guided the sustainable design of the Lab’s new Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) and current early design efforts for future construction.

 

Key elements of the SSNC include:

  • Energy Efficiency, Transportation, Decarbonization, and Renewables
  • Waste Minimization & Water Conservation
  • LEED Green Building Certification, Performance Measurement, and Reporting

In Case You Missed it: Earth Month

In Case You Missed it: Earth Month

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Check out what you might have missed from the Lab’s April Earth Month celebration…

Sustainability @ Home Brown Bag
Experts from the Energy Technologies Area and Sustainable Berkeley Lab shared their knowledge about responsible consumption, a culture of repair, very local food, and reducing energy and water footprint.
Presentation | Recording (Quicktime)



Green Transportation Brown Bag
A presentation on what the Lab has done to improve transportation, and a discussion of thoughts, ideas, and concerns about transportation solutions. 
Presentation

Safety Sustainability, and Security Fair

A huge number of people visited the SBL booth at the Fair, and learned about helping the Lab meet its Zero Waste Goals by knowing how to sort. Learn more at WasteGuide.lbl.gov.

 

 

eBike Meetup

A gathering of folks who commute via eBike, and those interested. Learn more about eBikes

Gear up for Earth Month

Gear up for Earth Month

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This April, the Earth Month Theme is Sustainable Lifestyles. You have many ways to participate!

JGI Kicks the Can

JGI Kicks the Can

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Nearly half the employees at JGI gave up their under-desk trash cans in March, in support of better separation of waste at centralized stations, and the Lab’s Zero Waste goals. Over 100 bins were collected and will be recycled.

All Lab buildings have central waste stations. Learn how you can contribute by properly diverting your waste — visit the Waste Guide.

Want to take the next step and get rid of your under-desk trash can?

Bring Your Own Mug & Save 25¢

Bring Your Own Mug & Save 25¢

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Bring your own mug or cup to the Peet’s stand at the cafeteria, and save 25 cents on your drink. Learn more about other ways to contribute to sustainability.

Help the Lab Reach Zero Waste

Help the Lab Reach Zero Waste

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Currently, the Lab diverts 76% of its waste stream away from landfill. The goal is over 90% diversion by next year.

 

Cities Nearing Zero Waste

Cities Nearing Zero Waste

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San Franciso is diverting more than 80% of its waste. A number of other cities across the world are too, including a small Japanese city who consulted a Berkeley local to help. Read the New York Times Article.

Resolve to Use Less Plastic

Resolve to Use Less Plastic

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Check out this National Geographic article on easy ways you and your family can use less plastic this year, including fun alternatives, using durable goods instead of disposable, and reuse ideas. Learn why too much plastic is fast becoming a huge problem.

Lab Annual Sustainability Report

Lab Annual Sustainability Report

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The Lab has completed its Annual Sustainability Report for FY 2018, and plans for FY 2019. One significant achievement is maintained, annualized energy savings totaling 6.7 million kWh since 2015. See graph.

Additional highlights —

For more details, see —

95% Energy Savings in Garage Lighting Upgrade

95% Energy Savings in Garage Lighting Upgrade

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Working in collaboration with SBL, Facilities upgraded lighting in the two garages under Building 50, resulting in:

1) Better, brighter, and more well-distributed lighting
The existing lighting was recessed in low ceilings, and even at 200 watts, the high-pressure sodium fixtures gave off a dim, uneven, and unsettling orange glow. The new LED lighting has significantly improved atmosphere and visibility in the garages.

2) Energy reduction of 95% (54,700 -> 2,500 kWh/year)  
The new lights are 33-watt LEDs with motion sensors, and were installed just below ceiling level, providing better lighting while meeting clearance requirements. The fixtures were adjusted to an appropriate light level, per industry best practice, further conserving energy. Finally, each fixture dims even further until it senses motion nearby, providing additional savings.

See the technical report >
Learn more about lighting projects >

LED bulbs can save you money too, especially if you’re swapping out incandescents. LEDs last much longer, use far less energy, produce high-quality light, and are available in a full range of colors, shapes, and styles. As a Berkeley Lab / UC employee or alum, you can get a discount on high-quality LEDs. See article below for more information.

B50 Garages Before & After

Zero-Waste Holidays

Zero-Waste Holidays

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Wasting food hurts your wallet. It also hurts the environment, from the wasted energy, water, and other resources required to produce it, and increased greenhouse gas emissions when it reaches the landfill. Composting is important, but avoiding wasted food is even better. Save money and avoid food waste this Thanksgiving, and year round.

 

Save on LED bulbs for home!

Save on LED bulbs for home!

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Part of the Million Lamp Challenge, UC employees, retirees, students, and alumni can now save big on purchasing high-quality LED lights for the home. Please see the details for more.

July is Plastic Free Month!

July is Plastic Free Month!

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Celebrate Plastic Free July and help the Lab meet its Zero Waste Goals by avoiding single-use plastics (such as take-out containers). Learn more ways to ditch plastics, and check out the Waste Guide to learn the right place for all kinds of waste.

Check out the Compost Story Video

Check out the Compost Story Video

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Learn about Food Waste in The Compost Story Video

Celebrate Earth Month!

Celebrate Earth Month!

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April is Earth Month – What’s Happening?

  • Learn environmental tips from a panel of Lab researchers (+Add)
  • Hear about the fascinating natural history of the Lab (+Add)
  • See WASTED! and get inspired by delicious ways to tackle food waste  (+Add)
  • Experience the Safety, Security, & Sustainability Fair (+Add)
  • Discover a great way to commute at the eBike Meetup (+Add)

Download the Earth Month Flyer (pdf), subscribe to the Sustainable Berkeley Lab calendar, or click on an event title below to learn more.

Participate in the DOE Earth Month Photo Contest by 4/6 More >

Packaging Waste Video

Packaging Waste Video

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Packaging, including for takeout food, is a huge part of the waste stream! Check out the UC Climate Lab video to learn about reducing packaging and take-out trash.

Annual Sustainability Report

Annual Sustainability Report

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Check out the Lab’s Site Sustainability Plan (SSP), which details the Lab’s sustainability performance in FY17, as well as plans for FY18.

Highlights:

    • Greenhouse gas emissions from electricity and natural gas are 27% below 2008 levels (see chart).
    • Total greenhouse gas emissions are 33% below 2008 levels (see chart).
    • Energy use intensity is 7% below 2015 levels.
    • Waste diversion is at 73% (see chart).
    • Water use intensity is 6% below 2007 levels (see chart), but this performance – due to a temporary operational problem – is expected to return closer to last year’s performance of 34% below baseline.

Check Out the New Waste Guide & Know Where to Throw!

Check Out the New Waste Guide & Know Where to Throw!

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From Aerosol Cans to Ziploc Bags – check out the waste guide (wasteguide.lbl.gov) and learn the right place for your waste. You can also find it on Lab’s A-Z and the SBL waste page.

JGI Recognized for Big Energy Savings in Support of Research

JGI Recognized for Big Energy Savings in Support of Research

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With help from Sustainable Berkeley Lab and a sophisticated monitoring system, JGI is saving significant energy while providing a more reliable freezer storage system for research samples. Their efforts were recognized in the North American Freezer Challenge. Learn more

Employee Offers for EVs and Renewables

Employee Offers for EVs and Renewables

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While supplies last, UC employees are eligible for a steep discount on a Nissan Leaf through December, and a small discount on Ford electric vehicles through October. For more information on employee offers for electric vehicles and renewable energy, view this list.

Lab’s Sustainability Update to UC

Lab’s Sustainability Update to UC

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Check out the Lab’s Sustainability Update to UC on this year’s accomplishments in Climate, Waste, and Water including:

  • Dedicated team for energy management
  • Big water and energy savings in high-performance computing
  • More EV charging capacity
  • Improvements in waste metrics
  • Efficient restroom fixtures

EV Nissan Offer Extended, New Ford Offer

EV Nissan Offer Extended, New Ford Offer

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UC employees are still eligible for a steep discount on a Nissan Leaf, and a small discount on Ford EVs.

Nissan LEAF: Nissan Leaf $10,000 Discount offer extended through September 30, 2017. Learn more. Contact: [email protected].

Ford EVs: Employees are eligible for a $750 discount on the purchase of any Ford EV or EV-hybrid or special lease pricing through August 31, 2017. Learn more. Contact: Amy Morse ([email protected]).

PG&E is still offering a $500 Rebate for a wide range of EV/Clean Fuel Vehicle owners.

Learn about the Lab’s EV Charging Program

Climate Lab Videos

Climate Lab Videos

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UC presents Climate Lab, a six-part video series on climate change, featuring UCLA visiting researcher M. Sanjayan, and researchers and experts from the UC community.

The videos explore surprising ways to change how we think and act about climate change, including lifestyle choices and groundbreaking work on mitigation.

UC campuses are leading cutting edge research on climate impacts, and the UC system has an ongoing commitment to achieve carbon neutrality in operations by 2025.

Participate in Earth Month in April!

Participate in Earth Month in April!

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Explore food sustainability through a traveling art show. Learn about the Lab’s energy use through new online data systems. Learn about special moments in the natural history of the Lab. Stop by the Safety, Security, & Sustainability Fair. Participate in Earth Month! Subscribe to the Sustainable Berkeley Lab calendar or see details below!

Shyh Wang Hall Achieves LEED Gold!

Shyh Wang Hall Achieves LEED Gold!

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Shyh Wang Hall (B59) is the Lab’s sixth building to earn LEED certification, and has achieved LEED Gold. The Lab has one LEED Platinum and five LEED Gold certifications. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a prominent green building certification that rates a building’s sustainability aspects, including indoor environmental quality and the efficient use of water, energy, and materials.

Water-Efficient Restrooms

Water-Efficient Restrooms

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Recent restroom retrofits at the Lab are saving over half a million gallons of water annually. Sustainable Berkeley Lab partnered with Facilities to replace urinals and install dual-flush toilet handles in the highest used restrooms across the hill campus.

In addition, all of the old fixtures were diverted from landfill — with 2098 lbs of porcelain converted into road aggregate, and 258 lbs of metal recycled through the Lab’s normal salvage process.

This effort was made possible by support from DOE’s Sustainability Performance Office, and aligns with the Lab’s goal to reduce water use intensity 36% by 2025.

Big Electric Vehicle Discount for Employees

Big Electric Vehicle Discount for Employees

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For a limited time, Berkeley Lab employees are eligible for a steep $10,000 discount on a Nissan Leaf, in addition to other federal and state rebates. Offer ends 3/31/2017 or while supplies last. Learn more >

New Lab Fridges are 70% More Efficient

New Lab Fridges are 70% More Efficient

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SBL’s 2016 Refrigerator Replacement Project has verified that its new refrigerators use 70% less energy on average.

This project:

  • Surpassed expectations of 50% savings
  • Cut total break room refrigerator energy use on the Hill by ~25%
  • Replaced ~50 old and inefficient break room refrigerators (more than a quarter of the total)
  • Verified energy savings through energy metering of both the old and new fridge
  • Reduced the usage of harmful refrigerants
  • Was supported by the UC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative Student Fellowship Program
  • Supports Lab sustainability goals

Learn more about the project >

Your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy-using appliances. Save money and energy by upgrading your old refrigerator — see the Refrigerator Purchasing Guide.

Berkeley Lab Site Sustainability Plan

Berkeley Lab Site Sustainability Plan

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Check out the Lab’s Site Sustainability Plan (SSP) for fiscal year 2017, detailing sustainability performance in FY16, and plans for FY17. The plan covers more than 30 sustainability goals.

For more details, see:

Highlights:

  • Total greenhouse gas emissions are 21% below 2008 levels (Goal: 41% by 2025).
    See graph | More about Climate
  • Waste diversion is at 70% (Goal: 75% by 2020)
    See graph | More about Waste
  • Water use intensity is 34% below 2007 levels  (Goal: 36% by 2025).
    See graph | More about Water.

Welcome to Brie Fulton!

Welcome to Brie Fulton!

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Brie Fulton joined the Sustainable Berkeley Lab team as the new Sustainability Program Manager. She leads the development and implementation of the Lab’s waste diversion activities, as well as supporting other sustainability objectives such as climate and water conservation goals and increasing sustainable purchasing. See Brie’s full bio on the Lab Directorate Staff page. Welcome, Brie!

Energy-Saving New Refrigerators

Energy-Saving New Refrigerators

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We’re replacing the Lab’s old, inefficient, break room refrigerators with new models that use half the energy. This project supports the Lab’s effort to meet the Federal goal of reducing greenhouse gases 50% by 2025. Learn more about the project.

Have an old refrigerator at home? Save money and energy by upgrading to a new Energy Star certified refrigerator. For more guidance on choosing a new refrigerator, for the Lab or home, see the Refrigerator Purchasing Guide.

Chu Hall achieves LEED Gold!

Chu Hall achieves LEED Gold!

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Chu Hall has earned LEED Gold certification, joining four other LEED-certified buildings at the Lab. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a prominent green building certification that rates a building’s sustainability aspects, including indoor environmental quality and the efficient use of water, energy, and materials. See a detailed overview of Chu Hall’s LEED Profile.

The Lab now has five LEED certifications:

  • Chu Hall (B30) – LEED Gold
  • General Purpose Lab (GPL / B33) – LEED Gold
  • Advanced Light Source (ALS) User Support Building (B15) – LEED Gold
  • Molecular Foundry (B67) – LEED Gold
  • Earth & Environmental Sciences (B74) renovation – LEED Platinum

Updated Waste Guide Now Available!

Updated Waste Guide Now Available!

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Get a copy of the new Waste Guide, with updated guidance on what to do with batteries, chemicals, foam peanuts, broken office furniture, etc. Visit the Berkeley Lab Cleanup website to download the new Waste Guide (pictured on the right in blue), which prints best in 11” x 17”. And please help us eradicate and replace the obsolete waste management poster (aka “Green” poster) pictured on the left! Have you seen one? Contact [email protected].

New Solar Array Serving the Lab

New Solar Array Serving the Lab

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The Lab is now taking delivery of clean renewable electricity from a new solar array constructed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The 10-acre installation was dedicated in May, and represents the largest solar array in the DOE Complex. The Livermore site was chosen due to its superior location for solar. Berkeley Lab has entered a long-term agreement to purchase 20% of the power generated by the new array. While this represents a small fraction of Berkeley Lab’s energy use, it is a significant step in our commitment to renewable energy.

More EV Stations Coming in 2016

More EV Stations Coming in 2016

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Installation begins in June for up to fifteen new EV charging stations. These stations are part of the Lab’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, and support the growing number of staff electric vehicles (EVs). The new stations should come online later in 2016, and will bring the total to twenty-four, or less than 1% of all parking spaces. All charging spaces require a permit to use, and will be designated with a sign and/or paint on the pavement.

April is Earth Month — Participate!

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Join an environmental walk around the Lab, learn about California’s water and energy resources, and learn what to do with your most challenging waste items. Each week of April features a themed Earth Day event (waste, water, energy, safety). Check out the Earth Month calendar below, and participate!

The Word on Water: Keep Conserving

The Word on Water: Keep Conserving

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The statewide drought continues, but rain or shine, conserving water is always the right choice in California’s dry climate. This season’s precipitation is falling short of expectations given the El Niño conditions, and after five years of below normal rainfall, California’s reservoirs remain low. It will take several years of above-average rainfall to end the drought.

The Lab has embraced the challenge to reduce baseline water use, and implemented the following actions: 1) discontinued all automated landscape irrigation, 2) installed aerators in restroom faucets across the main site, 3) placed “leak reporting” stickers in main-site bathrooms, 4) established water-use monitoring for cooling towers, 5) launched a restroom fixture retrofit program at the main site, and 6) developed a website to monitor forecasts and precipitation.

Learn what you can do at work and at home to help save this precious resource.

KQED’s Bay Curious Explains SF’s Recycling

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KQED’s Bay Curious recently explained Recology’s process to handle recycling coming from San Francisco. The piece is fun and relevant to our site. Our waste hauler uses much of the same processes to sort our recycling, so we can follow the same rules, such as recycle all rigid plastics regardless of the numbers and some food/beverage residue is fine. Check out the great video featuring Recology’s new Material Recovery Facility and the cool workers and technology sorting the recycling.

Our New, Motivating Projects

Our New, Motivating Projects

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Sustainable Berkeley Lab is excited about a few new projects. In November, we started working with Facilities to upgrade the efficiency and temperature controls in Building 6 (the ALS). We are also in project design for a pilot of Daintree advanced lighting controls in Building 78, a small office space, which will allow better controllability of lighting, space conditioning, and plug loads. Lastly, we are partnering with the JGI to better understand electricity use of cold storage and benchtop equipment and learn possible controllability strategies.

New Climate Agreement from Paris

New Climate Agreement from Paris

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For the first time we now have clear and relatively consistent climate mitigation goals established from the international to the institutional level. The United States has committed to a reduction of total greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025. The Lab is committed by executive order to a 50% reduction in electricity and natural gas emissions below 2008 levels by 2025 and a 25% reduction in transportation-related emissions over the same period.

Annual Sustainability Reporting

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Sustainable Berkeley Lab submitted our annual Site Sustainability Plan and Consolidated Energy Data Report to the Department of Energy. These reports summarize Berkeley Lab’s performance compared to 30 federal sustainability goals and describe plans for the next fiscal year.

Berkeley Lab’s Sea Level Rise Risk

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Sustainable Berkeley Lab prepared a summary of sea level rise risk to Berkeley Lab. The IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report estimates 0.3-1 meter global sea level rise by 2100. Although this shouldn’t affect the main site infrastructure, the estimated rise could affect some satellite facilities and local transportation and utilities infrastructure. The document is here.

Welcome Karen Salvini

Welcome Karen Salvini

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Karen Salvini joined Sustainable Berkeley Lab as the Sustainability Project Manager. She will manage key energy efficiency projects and lead several employee engagement efforts. Karen formerly worked in Berkeley Lab’s Energy Technologies Area and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. We are excited to have Karen join our team.

New California Legislation and ARB Policy

New California Legislation and ARB Policy

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Governor Jerry Brown has signed California state Senate Bill 350, setting aggressive renewable energy and energy efficiency goals. SB 350 increases the renewable portfolio standard to 50% by 2030. Energy efficiency is an essential first step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy. SB 350 sets a goal of 50% increase in energy efficiency in existing buildings by 2030. In addition, CA air regulators approved a new policy that will reduce the amount of carbon from all transportation fuels by at least 10% by 2020. All of these goals are impressive and essential steps to achieve CA’s goal of 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

Fiscal Year 2015 Achievements

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Fiscal Year 2015 was a busy year for us. Check out a list of our achievements. We’re looking forward to a great Fiscal Year 2016!

Main Site Gets a Bike Lane!

Main Site Gets a Bike Lane!

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Welcome Berkeley Lab’s first official bike lane! Chu Road was recently repaved between Blackberry Gate and the Bevatron traffic circle, and the new striping includes an uphill bike lane. A few weeks earlier, “sharrows” (a bicycle with arrows pointing forward) were painted on many downhill lanes, and signs saying that bicycles may use the full downhill lane were installed. These are great improvements to road safety around the Berkeley Lab main site, AND they support the Lab’s commitment to enable employees to use alternative means to commute to work.

New Buildings Open with Rethink Waste

New Buildings Open with Rethink Waste

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Two new buildings, 30 (also called Chu Hall or the Solar Energy Research Center) and 33 (also called the General Purpose Lab), opened recently and have adopted Rethink Waste quickly. Occupants have gradually moved in, and we have been installing new waste stations and signs to support waste sorting. Lab groups have set up recycling bins for their non-hazardous recyclable bottles, pipet tip boxes, etc. too. Thanks to our new neighbors who are enthusiastically joining the cause!

Successful 2015 CHESC

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The SBL team, including our summer intern and Facilities’ Controls Engineer, attended the annual California Higher Education Sustainability Conference. John, Deirdre, and Erin each presented and participated on panels to discuss EV Charging, energy data management, and waste diversion. We always enjoy catching up with our knowledgeable and enthusiastic sustainability colleagues from higher education campuses, who share lessons and success stories that translate well to our Federal site.

Zero Waste Intern and Mentor BBQ

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The 2015 summer BBQ for the interns and mentors was a successful zero waste event. Thank you to Joe Crippen for working closely with the caterer to provide compostable and recyclable materials. The Workforce Development and Education department continues to demonstrate their commitment to zero waste. Thank you!

Recycling in the Mainstream Media

Recycling in the Mainstream Media

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We were pleased to read and hear several news pieces about recycling in mainstream media (Washington Post, Marketplace, Diane Rehm interview). Recycling contamination, lightweighting, and global commodity markets have hurt the recycling industry. Recycling is still the cheaper disposal option, compared to landfilling waste, AND recycling can create stronger US-based, closed-loop supply chains. Do you have questions about what to recycle? Check out this  infographic, and you can always email questions to [email protected].

Berkeley Lab Receives DOE Sustainability Funding

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The DOE Sustainability Performance Office awarded Berkeley Lab with funding for two projects that have tangible influence to meet our federal sustainability goals and are difficult to fund through Berkeley Lab funding. The first project received $100,000 to retrofit two buildings to comply with High Performance Sustainable Building Guiding Principles. The second project received $65,000 to retrofit bathroom fixtures to water-efficient models across the main site. We’re very excited to get DOE support and move forward with these projects!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream (Let’s Take Control of Our Climate Future)

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream (Let’s Take Control of Our Climate Future)

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We love this video! Thank you, Ben & Jerry’s.

Welcome to Our Climate Neutrality Fellow

Welcome to Our Climate Neutrality Fellow

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Today we welcome Christine Li, who is joining us as a UC Carbon Neutrality Initiative Fellow for the summer. Christine finished her third year at Stanford University studying Civil and Environmental Engineering and Computer Science. She will be expanding use of an energy management software platform (Lucid Building OS) to encompass 25 buildings that emit 90% of the Lab’s buildings-related greenhouse gas emissions. Her work will establish an operational energy management platform and a standard process to identify energy saving opportunities in buildings. We’re excited to work with Christine!

Successful Energy Optimization Pilot

Successful Energy Optimization Pilot

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The energy optimization pilot project in Building 15 has reduced natural gas use by 50%. The pilot started in January as a collaboration between SBL, Facilities, and building occupants. It focused on changing lighting and heating/cooling schedules to match occupant use and educating occupants about how they can adjust the lighting and temperature of their spaces, especially during nights and weekends. We are continuing to monitor the systems to adjust the schedules as needed. Based on this experience, we will implement similar energy optimization measures in Building 74.

John Elliott’s Earth Week Energy Technologies Seminar

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A host of climate mitigation commitments, goals, and requirements at all policy levels require deep decarbonization beginning with dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the next ten years and leading to emissions per capita that are less than 1/10 current levels within 35 years. Berkeley Lab Chief Sustainability Officer John Elliott presented plans and progress to deeply decarbonize the Lab, focusing on our building portfolio (including both new construction and retrofit activities). Feel free to browse the presentation.

Volunteers Helped Launch a Composting and Gardening Study

Volunteers Helped Launch a Composting and Gardening Study

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In honor of Earth Day, a group of volunteers and SBL helped ESD researchers set up a gardening and composting study aiming to better understand the nutrient ratios in compost and how the ratio influences plant growth. We weeded garden pods and planted tomato and snow pea seedlings and tomato, chile, carrot, corn, sunflower, and cucumber seeds. We also set up a compost pile with pre-consumer food scraps from the cafeteria (thank you, Epicurean!). Volunteers will help tend the plants and compost piles. Thank you to Facilities and EHS for helping to set up the site.

Waste Assessment Lessons

Waste Assessment Lessons

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A group of volunteers trekked to Golden Bear Transfer Station in Richmond, CA to sort and weigh Berkeley Lab’s landfill waste collected over one week. The total load weighed 3.9 tons. We saw a lot of block styrofoam and plastic film, which we expected. But we also saw (and smelled!) a lot of food waste and paper towels, which should go into the compost bins. One of the lessons we learned was that people are still putting food waste into their office bins, which then goes to the landfill. Remember to take food waste and compostable items to waste stations. Erin is always looking for volunteers to help educate peers and set up laboratory recycling, so email [email protected] if you’re interested.

Please Help Reduce the Lab’s Water Use for the Third Year in a Row

Please Help Reduce the Lab’s Water Use for the Third Year in a Row

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California is in an exceptional drought and the Governor has ordered a statewide 25% reduction in urban water use. Please think seriously about ways that you can contribute to a third year of reducing the Lab’s water use by at least 15 percent. Resources and more information are available here.

New Sustainability Executive Order

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President Obama signed a new sustainability Executive Order, which intensifies the federal government goals by setting a ten year target to reduce energy use intensity by 28%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, increase renewable energy use to 30%, reduce water use intensity by 36%, and reduce fleet petroleum use by 30%. The new Executive Order 13693 Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade is the third major sustainability Executive Order and combines and updates the orders from the past 8 years. We are impressed and pleased with the federal government’s leadership in sustainbility. Here are the fact sheet and the full text.

Expanded Compost Collection Inside AND Outside

Expanded Compost Collection Inside AND Outside

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We have finished setting up Rethink Waste in buildings on the main site after 2 years of gradual roll-out. Rethink Waste brings new waste bins and signs to buildings to help occupants easily sort their waste into compost, recycling, and landfill waste bins. It also changes workspace waste service to help custodians prevent repetitive-motion injuries. Behind buildings, our hauler has also added compost carts in dumpster areas to increase the capacity of compost collection. This will result in higher waste diversion rates across the site. Hooray!