Labs consume a large amount of energy representing an opportunity to implement energy saving measures, yet they have strict safety standards that must be met that can make this difficult. Through the use of innovating measures, the amount of air required for the ventilation systems in the Onyx Bridge Organic Chemistry Research Labs was reduced resulting in substantial energy savings. More recently, the first instructional green organic chemistry lab in the country was designed to allow waste air to be reused in the ventilation system without jeopardizing strict environmental and safety regulations. The approach changes the way students think about chemical hazards and chemistry.

In 1992, when the University’s Organic Chemistry Labs needed updating, University planners took this opportunity to implement sustainable design practices and worked to make the Labs more fuel and energy efficient. In conjunction with the Eugene Water and Electric Boards, planners were able to retrofit the Labs with specially designed fume hoods that reduced demand for energy by 50%. While there have been challenges with the variable air volume ventilation system, the core concepts of the retrofit have been extremely helpful in demonstrating the uses of variable air volume technology in the reduction of lab ventilation loads, the benefits of conservation in nearby buildings to offset energy needs, and the advantages of reusing wood casework and other lab fabric instead of buying all new materials. - Office of Sustainability