​
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       SUBSCRIBE                   PREVIOUS ISSUES​

​​​​Take Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

​​How Do I Use Ecolabels?

​​​​The EPA has a great variety​ of ecolabel recommendations for federal purchasing, so this article will explore the three flagship options: ENERGY STAR, WaterSense and Safer Choice. Here’s how you can use these ecolabels to enhance sustainability in your practices and facilities.

​Ecolabel Image	​Description
​	​ENERGY STAR: These ecolabels are mainly applicable for identifying and promoting energy-efficient products and practices. This includes ULT freezers, computers, light fixtures and more. As an example, ULT freezers must meet certain ranges of “Maximum Daily Energy Consumption Requirement” and withstand various testing conditions impacting everything from ambient temperature to door opening frequency.1​ While in GSA Advantage, go to the “Refine by” filters menu on the lefthand side and click the “Green/Special Programs” option. From there, you should be able to filter by ENERGY STAR. Otherwise, you can search directly on the ENERGY STAR website​. It is required under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to purchase these products when available. Additionally, purchasing an ENERGY STAR appliance qualifies as an initiative you can check off on your GREEN Bingo Board​!
​	​WaterSense: These ecolabels are used for products that reduce water usage without sacrificing performance. Faucets, toilets, irrigation controllers and other water-based systems may have this label. As a general rule, WaterSense products use at least 20% less water than regular products while also performing at least as well.2​ Accessing WaterSense filters in GSA Advantage is identical to ENERGY STAR. Products can also be found through the WaterSense website​.
​	​Safer Choice: These ecolabels apply to cleaning or maintenance products, such as HVAC maintenance materials, medical instrument cleaners and even hand soaps. These products are identified for their gentler impact on the environment and their safety with regard to human health. They can be filtered out in GSA Advantage similar to ENERGY STAR and Water Sense. The Safer Choice website​ also offers direct options.

While many ecolabels target specific performance metrics and are easy to interpret, there are others that take a more comprehensive look at environmental impact and might require more in-depth analysis. A good example is the ACT Label​, an ecolabel that displays environmental information like a nutrition label. The ACT Label applies specifically to laboratory needs, including consumables, equipment, chemicals and reagents. Its label is less of a stamp of approval and more of a report card.

Below is a guide on how to navigate the ACT Label:

​By integrating ecolabels into your medical research and facilities engineering practices, you can contribute to a more sustainable future while reaping the benefits of reduced operational costs and improved environmental performance. Embracing these labels as a valuable tool in our sustainability strategy can allow NIH to lead by example in fostering a greener, more responsible approach to our work.

Are you able to Take Action this month? We want to see! Send us a picture of you carrying out one of these ideas, and we might feature it in a future article.

 Featured Article                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

​	​What Are Ecolabels? ​​Ecolabels are more than just extra markings on product packaging. They are certifications provided to products and services that meet specific environmental standards​​. Read the full article to learn more about these environmental labels!​​ ​ LEA​RN MORE​​​​

​​Spotlight                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

​

​A Look Behind the Curtain of the NIH Green Labs Fair​ ​ ​​​Get ready to put your ecolabel knowledge to use! A staple of sustainability at the NIH is returning once again, as the 2024 NIH Green Labs Fair (GLF) is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 26 from 10am to 3pm in the Building 10 South Lobby, Bethesda Campus.​​​ LEARN MORE

NEMS Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? ​​The EPA has a list of certified ecolabels that require products to meet specific standards. These ecolabels are a trustworthy standard to ensure you are purchasing a product that is environmentally-friendly. To learn more about sustainable acquisitions at the NIH​​​​​, please visit the NEMS T​raining webpage to view a short (20 minute) NIH environmental awareness training video.​

​​​​​​​​The NIH Green Zone Newsletter is a publication intended to inform NIH staff about the Division of Environmental Protection and NIH Green Teams projects and initiatives. The text contained in this newsletter is not copyrighted and can be reprinted without permission. If you use portions of this newsletter in your own publication, we ask that you please credit the source. We welcome your ​comments and suggestions. Thank you.​​

​​ ​Division of Environmental Protection | Office of Research Facilities | Office of Management National Institutes of Health | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services​ ​

​​​If you found this article useful, please let us know! We also appreciate hearing how we might improve our future articles, including topics you would like to read about.