Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Professionals

Laboratory work is resource intensive. Large equipment such as -80°C freezers use on average as much energy as a single-family home, plastic consumables are necessary but leave a huge amount of waste, and water consumption is also immense. So, the question is what to do? After all, samples have to be stored safely, experiments cannot be easily changed, and desirable measures are often simply not possible for safety reasons. Checklists and green lab guides can help and are a good starting point. However, every laboratory is different and has its own questions, hurdles and problems. A suggestion that is easy to implement for one lab may be difficult or even impossible for a neighboring group.

This is where Ecomapping® comes in. With its help, laboratories create an individual action plan. The core of the method is to focus on the environmental impacts of laboratory work, such as waste, water and energy consumption, emissions, chemicals and consumables, but safety aspects are also taken into account. This presentation explains the key features of the methodology and uses practical examples to give an insight into the improvements that laboratories can achieve using it.

After attending the webinar you can expect to:

• Understand the concept of Ecomapping® and how it can be tailored to address the unique sustainability challenges in different laboratory environments.
• Learn about the significant environmental impacts of laboratory operations, including energy consumption, waste generation, and water usage, and how to assess these factors effectively.
• Discover practical strategies and actionable steps for implementing sustainability measures in your laboratory.
• Learn about the successful application of the Ecomapping® method through best practice examples.

This webinar will be recorded and will be available on demand later, if the time doesn't fit to your time zone!

Speaker:

Dr. Kerstin Hermuth-Kleinschmidt

NIUB Sustainability Consulting

Kerstin Hermuth-Kleinschmidt graduated in chemistry and holds a PhD in microbiology from the university of Freiburg, Germany. She worked for several years in sales and technical customer service in the life science industry, before she turned her attention to the topic of sustainability. As an independent consultant, speaker and author of publications on various aspects of sustainability, her focus is now on the implementation and monitoring of sustainability processes and the practical implementation of sustainability in scientific work and research. She offers workshops and lectures on specific aspects of sustainability in laboratory and research work and the context of life sciences companies as well as individual support. In her daily work with labs, she uses the Ecomapping® method that helps labs to develop their individual action plan to make lab work more sustainable.

Since 2017, she has also been teaching as part of the “Studium Generale. Forum Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft” (FORUM) at KIT Karlsruhe as part of the Sustainable Development degree programme to pass on her knowledge to the younger generation.

The My Green Lab Europe Summit 2025 brings together scientists, sustainability leaders, and industry experts from across Europe to explore scalable solutions for greener labs and lab products.

This free virtual event will highlight how laboratories, institutions, and policymakers are advancing sustainability through product innovation, organization-wide initiatives, and sector-wide policy changes while ensuring compliance with evolving European regulations.

Whether you're a researcher, lab manager, or industry professional, you'll gain the knowledge and connections to help drive meaningful change in lab sustainability.

For more information visit: https://mygreenlab.regfox.com/my-green-lab-europe-summit-2025.

Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition is the premier conference for the Canadian Society for Chemistry. The mission of the chemistry conference is to be your forum; a venue where you can embrace learning, exchange knowledge, build innovative ideas, advance your career, and advance the chemistry profession.

Taking part in the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition is an opportunity to grow, learn, connect, and celebrate all that Canadian chemistry has to offer.

This is the first year of the inaugural Green Division and there will be tons of green chemistry-related symposia and workshops throughout the conference!! Several will be led by Beyond Benign team members! Read more about them here. 

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Beyond Benign Talks

Green and Sustainable Practices in Chemistry Education (CE/GC)

Barb Morra, University of Toronto; Jonathon Moir, Beyond Benign; Nimrat Obhi, Beyond Benign; Andrew Dicks, University of Toronto; Olivia Mann-Delany, University of Toronto

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Chemistry education plays a critical role in training the next generation of chemists and engineers to consider the holistic impact of their work and actively explore ways to use more sustainable practices. This session aims to explore how educators can integrate green and sustainable chemistry practices into their classrooms, teaching laboratories, and programs. The session will be split into two parts: oral presentations followed up a workshop.

Part 1 (what are others doing with green chemistry in education?): This component will bring together instructors, teaching assistants, technical staff, and other educational stakeholders and provide them with a platform to showcase the creative ways they incorporate green and sustainable practices into their departments and curricula. Participants are encouraged to provide their unique perspective into the development, implementation, and learning outcomes of their pedagogical work, while considering how their efforts could be adopted by other instructors, particularly those with limited resources or experience with green and sustainable practices.

Part 2 (how can I add more green chemistry to my teaching?): The second part of the session will involve a workshop that provides an opportunity for educators to learn how to further adapt and implement more green and sustainable concepts into their own classrooms and laboratory using a guided inquiry approach. Workshop participants will work in small groups with facilitators to explore simple and effective approaches to updating their existing course/laboratory content and establish action plans toward implementation.

Bringing Green Chemistry into Your Lab – A Workshop for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows (GC)

Tuesday, June 17th from 8:00-11:40am in room 203 at the Rogers Center Ottawa

Jonathon Moir, Beyond Benign; Juliana Vidal, Beyond Benign; Nimrat Obhi, Beyond Benign; Barb Morra, University of Toronto; David Laviska, ACS GCI; Galen Yang, McGill University; Shauna Schechtel, Queen’s University

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Research laboratories are some of the most energy and resource intensive spaces on university and college campuses. They generate large amounts of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste (including solvents, reagents, solids, glassware, filter paper, drying agents, disposable gloves, and column waste) daily. However, this is often considered a necessary evil and an acceptable price to pay to make innovative discoveries for the betterment of humanity. Fortunately, this does not need to be the case; research in higher education can be done in a way that allows for discovery and innovation to take place without generating large amounts of waste and subjecting students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers to hazardous compounds and laboratory conditions. Importantly, there are many safer alternative reagents, solvents, and laboratory materials that can be used to reduce risk of exposure. This approach, known as green chemistry, utilizes a set of twelve practical principles for research and bench chemists to help reduce the use and generation of hazardous substances for humans and the environment.

This workshop introduces green chemistry and how its associated twelve principles can be applied at the graduate and postdoctoral level in research laboratories across universities and colleges in Canada. The workshop will explore examples of how green chemistry has been successfully introduced into research labs in different subdisciplines of chemistry and will provide an opportunity for participants to work in small groups through guided discussions to identify ways of improving their own laboratory practices and research to shift towards greener and more sustainable practices.

Register Here.

This workshop will bring together representatives from various green labs programs to share strategies for establishing and expanding green labs on university campuses. With the significant environmental impact of scientific research, it is essential for R1 institutions to implement green labs initiatives to help meet sustainability and climate goals. Green labs programs not only enhance lab safety but also equip scientists with essential skills in efficiency and sustainability, which are increasingly valued in the research field. These programs have proven to save institutions money and positively impact energy and water conservation, waste reduction, community building, and educational opportunities for researchers, students, and faculty. The workshop will cover a range of topics, including program setup, funding sources, stakeholder engagement, incentive strategies, and the structural elements that drive program success. Participants will have ample opportunities to ask questions, engage in discussions, and participate in smaller group sessions for deeper exploration and problem-solving on specific topics.

Learning Outcomes

1. Gain insights into effective strategies for starting and scaling green labs programs on university campuses.
2. Understand the environmental, financial, and educational benefits of green labs initiatives.
3. Learn about various funding sources, engagement tactics, and incentive strategies to support green labs programs.
4. Explore best practices for building a strong network of campus stakeholders to drive green labs initiatives.
5. Engage in collaborative discussions and problem-solving with peers to address challenges and share successful approaches.

Facilitators

• Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar, Green Labs Program Manager, University of Colorado Boulder
• Ryan Weeks, Sr. Sustainability Specialist, Green Labs & Zero Waste, Johns Hopkins University
• Emily Colpack, Green Labs Coordinator, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Leoncio Lagarde, Green Labs Program Assistant & Outreach Coordinator, University of Colorado Boulder
   

Registration Fees* 

Individual (non-student) associated with an AASHE member organization* -- $95

Individual (non-student) not associated with an AASHE member organization -- $125

Student -- $50

Groups -- Full price for first registrant and 20% off for each subsequent registrant

* To check if your organization is a current AASHE member, please search the AASHE Membership Directory.

A limited number of scholarships are available to individuals who need financial assistance to participate. Please apply two weeks before the program begins (e.g., 2/20/2025) to be considered for a scholarship for this workshop.

An exclusive online event on December 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Central European Time (11:00 am Eastern Time).

Designed for professionals in the chemical sector, these programs equip you to lead the transition toward sustainable practices while advancing your career. Our programs are delivered primarily online, in English, offering maximum flexibility to balance your studies with professional and personal commitments. 

At the event, you'll have the chance to learn about the unique curriculum, which integrates insights from international experts across academia, industry, and government. A special highlight of the session is a talk by Professor Klaus Kümmerer, a globally renowned scientist in sustainable chemistry. He will share his vision for sustainability's critical role in the chemical industry and explain how these programs prepare participants to be pioneers in this transformative field.

Take the first step towards making a meaningful impact in the chemical sector. Join us to learn how Leuphana University's postgraduate programs can help you stand out and shape the future of chemistry.
 

The GC&E Conference, hosted by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute®, is the premier global event for green chemistry and engineering. As the first and longest-running conference on this topic, GC&E attracts scientists, educators, industry professionals, and advocates to explore advancements, share best practices, inspire innovation, and build community dedicated to sustainable solutions.

Each year, the conference evolves, incorporating new ideas while maintaining its 28-year legacy. Its vision is for green and sustainable chemistry to be integral to all scientific endeavors, providing solutions that balance human well-being with planetary health. For this reason, the 2025 conference theme will be Good Health and Well-Being Through Sustainable Chemistry to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.

GC&E 2025 will showcase innovative research and cross-cutting topics in green and sustainable chemistry and engineering, with an emphasis on symposia that highlight our theme “Good Health and Well-Being”, such as medical breakthroughs, new technologies, and efforts to eliminate or reduce hazardous chemical pollution promoting longer and healthier lives.

Beyond Benign Talks and Social Events

“Design and development of an on-demand introductory course to infuse green chemistry in the undergraduate curriculum”

Dr. Deborah Bromfield Lee, Professor of Chemistry, Florida Southern College

“Case study on sustainable practices in metal plating for Green Chemistry education”

Dr. Hun Bok Jung, Assistant Professor Department of Physical Sciences, Kingsborough Community College

“An online course for the chemistry education community: empowering educators to bring environmental justice discussions into the classroom”

Dr. Monica Soma Hensley, Content Manager, Beyond Benign

““Soy” What? We’ve “bean” incorporating soybean-based industrial innovations into the chemistry curriculum”

Dr. Jane Wissinger, Professor Emerita, Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota

"Institutional Change for a Sustainable Future: Beyond Benign and the Green Chemistry Commitment"

Dr. Juliana Vidal, Dr. Amy Cannon,  Dr. Omar Villanueva, and Dr. Natalie O’Neil

"Mechanochemistry and Green Chemistry: A Connection Between Education, Research, and Innovation for a Healthier Planet"

Juliana Vidal, Beyond Benign; James Batteas, Texas A&M University; Francesca Kerton, Memorial University; Isaiah Speight, William & Mary

"Comprehensive survey on the implications of green chemistry and toxicology concepts in chemistry education: An industry and academic perspective"

Nesta Bortey-Sam, University of Pittsburgh

"Development of a green chemistry and toxicology professional development certificate course"

Douglas Raynie, South Dakota State University

"Green Chemistry Resources in the Classroom"

Thomas P. Umile, Villanova University; Jennifer A. Tripp, University of San Francisco; Monica Soma Hensley, Beyond Benign; Amy S. Cannon, Beyond Benign; David Laviska, Green Chemistry Institute, American Chemical Society

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Green Chemistry Commitment: Catalysts for Change Reception

Come mix and mingle with Beyond Benign, MilliporeSigma (the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), and the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute at 6 PM on Sunday, June 22nd, 2025 at Sienna Mercato's rooftop bar, il Tetto.

Embrace the unique opportunity to connect with current leaders in the field of green chemistry and find resources to help lead a sustainable future.
Current green chemistry leaders joining this event include members of industry, as well as faculty members who are signers of Beyond Benign's Green Chemistry Commitment.

Enjoy free food and drinks and unique networking opportunities-- all against the beautiful Pittsburgh skyline at a scenic, award-winning venue.

Who: Chemistry Faculty, Undergraduate and Graduate Students
What: A chance to connect with likeminded young chemistry leaders and influencers in the green chemistry space.
When: Sunday, June 22nd at 6:00 PM EST
Where: il Tetto at Sienna Mercato, 942 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Catalyzing Change in Chemistry Education Faculty Luncheon

Join Beyond Benign, MilliporeSigma (the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany), and the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute (ACS GCI) for a free, catered luncheon on June 24th, 2025 at the ACS Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference.

Who: Chemistry faculty, administrators, and student leaders interested in generating departmental support for green chemistry implementation.

What: A lunch panel of faculty members who are leading a systemic change in education through the Green Chemistry Commitment (GCC) at their institutions.

Panel moderators: Dr. Amy Cannon (Executive Director & Co-Founder of Beyond Benign) and Jeffrey Whitford Vice President of Sustainability & Social Business Innovation at MilliporeSigma, will bring their own expertise as green chemistry leaders.

Where: Sterlings 1, 2, & 3

When: Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 at 12:30 PM EDT
The GCC program is a collaborative voice created to unite the higher education chemistry community towards green chemistry principles and practices and further its size, reach, and diversity. Join us to learn all the benefits that the students, faculty, and staff in your department can gain access to when they join the GCC.

Register on the GC&E Website

Join IUPAC CHEMRAWN and Beyond Benign in a webinar featuring Thomas Freese (University of Groningen, Netherlands) to discuss sustainable laboratory practices. In this event, guidelines and hands-on advice on how to make your laboratory greener at research institutions and industry will be presented, as well as examples of achieving systemic change for a sustainable future. If you have any questions in advance for Thomas, feel free to add them in below! We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Lab sustainability is increasingly at the forefront of decision making in science centres around the world, as evidenced by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Sustainable Labs report and the high level of interest in the RSC Sustainable Lab grants. 

In this hour-long, interactive webinar you will hear from recipients of the first round of the RSC Sustainable Labs grant whose projects seek to answer questions in topics areas including solvent choices and reuse of single use plastics. You will hear about the problems they’re trying to solve and how findings from their initial results can be actioned. By joining this webinar, you will learn how chemical scientists are looking to solve challenges faced when making more sustainable choices in the lab. You will also hear perspectives on the broader challenges in sustainable labs and efforts by the wider research community – including major funders – to drive more sustainable laboratory practices. 

The webinar will provide useful and actionable information as well as highlighting the opportunity to apply for the second round of RSC Sustainable Laboratories grants. 

The RSC will send a certificate of attendance to everyone who joins us live for the event. Please make sure you register using exactly the name you want on the certificate.

Note: this webinar will run from 3 - 4 pm British Standard Time (10 - 11 am Eastern Time).
 

With the theme "Chemistry for a Better Planet" this Regional Meeting will bring more than 400 chemists from industry, academia, and government sectors together for symposia on a wide range of topics including green and sustainable chemistry. The call for abstracts will appear in Chemical & Engineering News in early 2025.

We are excited to announce that the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) has created the CIC Green Subject Division. Its objective is to bring together the community of researchers and practitioners of the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) and Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) who identify as contributing to, or having an interest in, green chemistry and chemical engineering.
 
The new Green Subject Division will:

• Organize symposia on green and sustainable chemistry, technology, and chemical engineering at the annual CSC and CSChE conferences. 
• Bolster industrial participation at the annual CSC and CSChE conferences. 
• Provide professional training in green/sustainable practices at the annual CSC and CSChE conferences. 
• Present Canadian Green Chemistry and Engineering Awards. 
• …and further activities that will serve our community.

*Save the date*
The Green Division's inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held by Zoom on Tuesday, Jun.18 at 1 PM ET.

Join Zoom Meeting 
Meeting ID: 850 7250 8961
Passcode: 871250

The AGM can be accessed via the Green Division Webpage.

Positions of leadership are open! At the AGM, we will elect a Division Chair, Division Vice-Chair, and Division Secretary-Treasurer as well as up to six (6) Division Members at Large.  If you or someone you know would be interested, please ask them to communicate with Joelle Pelletier at [email protected]. Spread the news to your research group and colleagues!
 
If you will attend CSC 2024 in Winnipeg, we will also be holding an Information Session on Tuesday June 4 from 5:20 to 7:20 (Central Time) in Room 9.  Please drop by, learn more and get involved. All those interested in green and sustainable chemistry, technology and chemical engineering are welcome, including students and postdocs: we invite all to contribute to shaping the new Green Subject Division. 
 
We look forward to working with you to make the CIC Green Subject Division part of our future.