The International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories notes recycling practices and Freezer Challenge success
Source: McGill Reporter
October 24, 2025
On October 21, the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories awarded McGill a prize for its outstanding commitment to sustainability in its laboratories.
"The Lab Programs and Initiatives Award reflects the incredible momentum we've built across McGill's lab community," said François Miller, Executive Director, McGill Office of Sustainability. "From grassroots initiatives to institution-wide programs, our approach has always been about empowering lab users to lead the change."
Over 300 lab-based staff and students, from across 14 labs, participated in a voluntary McGill program that helped lab users assess and improve their practices, contributing to a broader culture of sustainability.
Local efforts and global results
McGill's lab initiatives are guided by its institutional goals of becoming zero-waste by 2035 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
The lab program flagged waste management as a key challenge at McGill. As a result, the University successfully negotiated with its recycling contractor to begin accepting common non-hazardous lab waste items such as nitrile gloves, pipette tips and tip boxes. Today, by recycling and lab waste materials. McGill can divert up to 45 per cent of waste from labs.
"This award spotlights the dedication of our lab communities, who drive individual action and systemic improvements that benefit us all," said Kimberly John, a former Sustainability Officer who was responsible for the design and delivery of McGill's lab sustainability programs. "It's a proud moment showing that sustainability at McGill is more than a concept – its a shared culture embedded even within our complex and busy lab spaces."
The Freezer Challenge: a notable success
That lasting shift is illustrated by the results of the 2025 Freezer Challenge, a global competition in which labs compete to maximize their sustainability impact. McGill placed eighth out of 112 academic institutions around the world.
Sixty McGill labs took part, and the Advanced Genomic Technologies Laboratory was the top performer. Their cumulative efforts saved over $10,000 and an annual total of 115,887kWh, which can power 10 Canadian homes for a year. The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre registered 55 labs.
"Our labs have embraced sustainability not just as a practice, but as a culture," said Rami Tohme, Director of Technical Services at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. "The Freezer Challenge and broader lab initiatives have shown that small changes, like defrosting freezers or switching to reusable materials, can lead to significant environmental and financial impacts."
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