Waste
I2SL call for papers ends March 22nd
March 15, 2013 4:31 pm | News | CommentsThe 2013 I2SL Annual Conference call for abstracts is now open, and all members of the sustainable laboratory and high-tech facility community are encouraged to submit, whether a veteran presenter or new to the industry.
Modular sustainability: A plan for the Marine Research and Education Center
December 12, 2012 12:07 pm | by Daniel Addis, Jensen Ying, and Eui Song "John" Kim | Articles | CommentsWhen considering the program for the proposed Salt River Bay Marine Research and Education Center on St. Croix, as part of the International Sustainable Laboratory Student Design Competition, we immediately encountered a few factors that directly relate to sustainability and carbon footprint.
EPA advice could impact water codes
October 16, 2012 2:51 pm | News | CommentsThe U.S. Environmental protection agency recently released "Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework"—consisting of new guidelines for local governments trying to meet Clean Water Act obligations. The framework allows and encourages local governing bodies to make rules regarding green stormwater infrastructure.
Student design competition winners show outstanding integration
October 11, 2012 11:38 am | by International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories | Articles | CommentsThe International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories has announced the winners and honorable mentions for its International Sustainable Laboratory Student Design Competition. The competition enabled architecture and engineering students from around the world to provide new and innovative thinking for the creation of energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable laboratories.
Plumbing codes morph for greenness
October 1, 2012 11:36 am | News | CommentsWorkshops at a major national plumbing convention illustrate how codes are evolving to facilitate more sustainable construction techniques, including use of gray water and rain water in plumbing systems.
Living Building Challenge pushes beyond LEED
December 6, 2011 7:30 am | News | CommentsIs LEED Platinum passé? Meet the next hurdle: the super-sustainable International Living Building Challenge.
Sustainable design decisions and costs in research laboratories
August 15, 2011 8:17 am | by Taylor R. Boyd, John D. Neilson, and Ellen Sisle, KlingStubbins | Articles | CommentsIt is probably safe to say that most people would not advocate deliberately damaging the environment, especially if there is no advantage in doing so. But profit and value also play a role in many of the choices we have to make. If the design solutions we advocate to help preserve the natural world are not financially feasible, they are not likely to be implemented. We have to evaluate what our ideas will cost, both initially and in the long term, as well as how well they will work.
EPA ruling may impact recyclable materials
June 14, 2010 9:45 am | News | CommentsThe Environmental Protection Agency is debating waste-handling rules that could affect the use of fly ash, a byproduct of coal plants that has found its way into many “green” building products such as wallboard, concrete and bricks.
Understanding laboratory waste and vent systems
March 15, 2010 8:26 am | by Brett M. Gilbert, LEED AP | Articles | Comments"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" This famous line from The Wizard of Oz describes the way people often think of their plumbing systems. People just want water to flow when they turn on the faucet and waste to go down the drain when they pull the plug.
ASHRAE publishes green standard
February 8, 2010 7:51 am | News | CommentsA long-anticipated standard for sustainable commercial construction has been published by ASHRAE in conjunction with the IES and the U.S. Green Building Council.
Trash talk: Greener ways of handling laboratory waste streams
December 29, 2008 11:14 am | by Kenneth A. Kornberg, AIA | Articles | CommentsAlthough the work done in the lab is no more dangerous or toxic than it was 40 years ago, regulatory changes have created huge increases in transportation, materials, and energy costs. The consequence is a significant increase in the carbon footprint for the standard lab building, a reduction in productivity and space efficiency, and in many cases a decrease in the safety of the research environment.
