Sustainability superheroes honored at annual ceremony

Green superhero mascot — NIEHS Sustainability Superhero mascot. (Image courtesy of Kerri Hartung / NIEHS)

NIEHS scientists and staff working to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and make laboratories more sustainable were celebrated Oct. 21 at a Sustainability Superheroes recognition reception.

Awardees were honored in five categories: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Green Labs, NIEHS Green Researchers, NIH Freezer Challenge winners, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Green Champions, and NIEHS Special Recognition recipients.

“We have a history here at NIEHS of being the first,” said co-host J’Ingrid Mathis, executive officer and associate director for management. “We were the first in HHS to prepare a climate resilience plan, the first to have a net-zero energy building, and this year will be the first year that our annual electricity use will be 100% carbon free.”

“From pollution prevention to conserving and generating renewable energy, to hands-on implementation of new greening initiatives, today's awardees are working diligently to reduce the institute’s environmental footprint,” added NIEHS Scientific Director and event co-host Darryl Zeldin, M.D.

J'ingrid Mathis talking at NIEHS podium — Mathis commended the efforts of awardees who work to promote environmental sustainability. (Photo courtesy of Steve McCaw / NIEHS)

NIH Green Labs

Zeldin presented NIH Green Labs awards to labs exhibiting a commitment to compliant waste prevention, management, and recycling; cold storage best practices; water conservation; sustainable procurement; and fostering collaboration and engagement.

Fourteen NIEHS labs received gold lab status, 17 achieved silver lab status, and five achieved bronze lab status.

NIEHS Green Researchers

Steve Novak, Health and Safety Branch chief at NIEHS, presented the Green Researcher awards to individuals committed to safe, sustainable lab practices, and fostering collaboration and engagement in the environmental arena.

This year’s NIEHS Green Researchers included 27 gold winners, three silver winners, 10 bronze winners, and five honorable mentions.

NIH Freezer Challenge

Cold storage of biomedical samples is necessary for research, yet older freezers can use as much energy each year as an entire U.S. household.

“They are significant energy users,” said Kerri Hartung, NIEHS sustainability coordinator, who presented the awards. “Freezers really deserve additional focus when it comes to helping further our sustainability goals.”

NIEHS Special Recognition

Robby Robinson II, deputy associate director for management, presented the special recognition awards for nine projects focused on either energy and climate or waste. Awarded projects included a solar canopy installation, electric vehicle shared-use charging program, and pilot projects to boost recycling of gloves and pipettes.

“In total, we recognized 165 individuals as NIEHS Sustainability Superheroes, including nine staff members who were recognized for their accomplishments as Green Labs, Green Researchers, and Freezer Challengers,” said Heather Patisaul, Ph.D., scientific director of the Division of Translational Toxicology. “Their collective efforts go to the heart of who we are as an institute, and as their contributions demonstrate, we can all make a difference.”