22 - Implement a space and equipment sharing program, which can minimize future needs for additional laboratory space. Perhaps the most important thing to note across all these strategies is to engage researchers in the process. This gives them agency in reducing the impact of their own research, rather than imposing seemingly restrictive regulations on their work, which has been found to have a much higher success rate (My Green Lab 2024). It also enhances the reputation of the conditions for researchers at MIT, enticing new top talent to seek out research opportunities at this esteemed institute. With all this in mind, such efforts require significant coordination across all stakeholder groups within MIT, from researchers to EH&S and Facilities staff to management. Beyond the technological strategies posed, it is highly recommended that dedicated staff that are knowledgeable on MIT processes and sustainable laboratory principles are assigned to coordinate these efforts. Risk and Innovation The implementation of these strategies poses very little risk to MIT. Some of them may require more financial investment than others, but the tried-and-true nature of many of these strategies in the sustainable laboratory global community make them low-risk to implement. On the contrary, not implementing the proposed strategies pose a significant risk to the Institute on multiple levels. Perhaps most importantly, the ineffective operation of laboratory ventilation can pose a health threat to MIT’s most important asset: its researchers. Across the country, 1 in 3 laboratories pose a significant risk to the health and safety of its researchers due to ineffective airflow (3Flow and I2SL 2016). This statistic even applies to cases where ventilation systems are properly designed, since deferred maintenance can lead to 50% reduced effectiveness in as little as 5 years (NREL 2020). Additionally, the added cost of potentially wasted energy consumption from this ineffective operation can be as much as $5 more per square foot to operate than officetype spaces (Better Buildings Alliance - Laboratories Project Team n.d.). By implementing these proposed strategies, not only will it enhance the safety of the working environment for researchers; the significant operational cost savings can be devoted to further improvements of facilities. Furthermore, the reputation of MIT as a research institution is at stake in not implementing these strategies. The Institute is falling behind many peer research universities who have already implemented sustainable laboratory best practices and strategies that prioritize both safety and efficiency. As a global research institution, the delay of implementing these strategies not only poses the risk of not achieving the status of a “zero-carbon” campus; there is the potential for this to reduce to the influx of potentially top-tier researchers who are deterred by facilities that are operating sub-optimally. In short, implementation of these proposed laboratory efficiency improvements and building system optimization are needed to maintain a safe working environment for current researchers and enhance the Institute’s reputation as a global leader in cutting-edge research and innovation.
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