University of Kentucky User-Led Environmental Lab Excellence (UKULELE)

UK User-Led Environmental Lab Excellence (UKULELE)        

(As of 01/21/2022)

MISSION & VISION

Sustainability and safety are institutional priorities for the University of Kentucky; energy efficiency and materials management are two key areas of the University’s Sustainability efforts. The University’s teaching and research laboratories are critical to meeting the University’s Mission but have intense energy and material footprints.

The goals for this working group are to provide resources and guidance specific to the laboratory environments with a focus on:

· minimizing the environmental impacts of lab operations

· ensuring safe, healthful, clean and accessible lab environments

· enhancing effective conditions for excellence in teaching and research

The students, faculty, and staff using these spaces are key to the success of the initiative and will be engaged in all aspects of our work.

CHARGE

This working group will meet regularly, no less than quarterly, to accomplish the following:

1. Enhance University laboratory safety standards and research best practices
2. Identify areas of laboratory energy efficiency and conservation improvements
3. Identify opportunities for waste reduction
4. Provide tools & resources to empower and encourage lab users to take advantage of opportunities identified
5. Develop and execute a recognition program to celebrate user-led excellence (i.e.UKULELE "Rockstar")

Progress toward these goals will be documented/reported quarterly.

COMPOSITION

This group shall be comprised of stakeholders which includes, but is not limited to:

• ​UK Facilities Management
  • UK Sustainability

  • UK Utilities & Energy Management

  • UK Recycling

  • Cenergistic LLC

• UK Healthcare
• UK VP for Research
• UK Environmental Health & Safety
• Student Organizations
• Researchers & Lab Personnel

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Shane Tedder: UK Campus Sustainability Officer
  • E-mail: shane.tedder@uky.edu
• Britney Ragland: Utilities Engineering Manager
  • E-mail: britney.ragland@uky.edu
• Lee Poore: Director of Occupational Health and Safety
  • E-mail: lee.poore@uky.edu
• Bobbie Tincher: Energy Management Manager
  • E-mail: roberta.tincher@uky.edu
• Esther Moberly: Waste, Recycling, Trucking Services Manager
  • E-mail: emoberly@uky.edu 

LABORATORY BEST PRACTICES