Resources
Learn more about healthcare sustainability
Click on the videos below to watch lectures and interviews discussing sustainable health care topics ranging from the brain and climate change to reusable vs. disposable devices.
Explore student initiatives
Students from the Schools of Dental Medicine and Pharmacy presented their sustainability projects at the 2026 Cuspers Conference. Click the boxes below to learn more about student involvement in Pitt Health Sciences Sustainability.
The Dental Waste Project
Ean Maxwell, Dental Hygeine
This project aimed to reduce overall clinic waste by implementing a system to recycle and repurpose these items while also integrating sustainability practices into the dental hygiene curriculum. Additionally, the initiative sought to contribute to improvements in the Planetary Health Report Card.
Pills, Planet, and Purpose - Pharmacy Students Prescribing a Healthier Future
Abby Lemp, School of Pharmacy
This project aimed to promote, assess, and integrate sustainability and planetary health concepts into Pharmacy education, student engagement, and practice stewardship.
Learn about sustainability on campus
The goal of OSHS is to implement innovative techniques across all the health science schools to reduce our greenhouse emissions in line with the campus goal of 50% by 2030 (2008 baseline) and to contribute to the Pittsburgh 2030 District goal of 50% reductions in energy use intensity (consumption per square foot) by 2030. In collaboration with the Pitt Sustainability, we have several programs that individuals and labs can be involved with.
Click on the initiatives below to learn more.
Green Labs
There are more than 2000 research labs at the University of Pittsburgh which represents a huge opportunity to reduce Pitt’s carbon footprint.
Green Offices
Help advance the University of Pittsburgh’s culture of sustainability in your office, department, or division by becoming a Pitt Green Office!
Donate Expired Medical Supplies
Expired medical supplies cannot be used for research or clinical purposes. However, they are perfect tools to help students learn about medical procedures and practices.
Chemical Redistribution Program
The University of Pittsburgh Chemical Redistribution Program provides faculty and staff with the opportunity to obtain chemicals free of charge.
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer Energy Efficiency Rebate
This program will help cover the cost of upgrading your old, inefficient ULT freezer, while helping Pitt avoid energy use, save money and reduce campus carbon emissions.
Zero Waste: Recycle, Compost, & Divert
In fiscal year 2023, the Pittsburgh campus landfill diversion rate was 40.4% of materials by weight to recycling or reuse.
Employee Green Guide
Learn ore about Pitt’s thriving culture of sustainability on campus and learn how you can get involved with the Employee Green Guide!
Student Green Guide
Learn more about Pitt’s thriving culture of sustainability on campus by exploring the Student Green Guide.
Green Ambassadors
Individual Pitt Green Ambassadors have demonstrated their knowledge of Pitt Sustainability programs and competence in incorporating sustainability best practices into their work.
Library Guides
Learn more about sustainability terms with the Office of Sustainability in the Health Sciences Library Guide.
Sustainability Dashboards
These dashboards strengthen transparency, advance analytic capabilities, and help quantify the University’s impact as a global sustainability leader.
Professional Development Certificate in Sustainability
This certificate reinforces Pitt’s commitment to sustainability with a series of professional development workshops open to all employees.
Current Health Science Green Labs & Offices
Green Labs
- Behavioral Immunology Lab – Psychology
- The Brixius Lab – Center for Pharmacogenetics
- Carvunis Lab – Computational and Systems Biology
- Chen Drug Discovery Lab – Aging and Pulmonary Medicine
- Coutanche Lab – Psychology
- Dr. Fernandez Lab – Center for Pharmacogenetics
- Foundations Lab – Biological Sciences
- Gold Lab – PCPR/Neurobiology
- Hainer Lab – Biological Sciences
- Huang Lab – Critical Care Medicine
- Dr Johnston Lab – Pharmaceutical Science
- Dr. Journigan Lab – Pharmaceutical Science
- Kohl Lab – Biological Sciences
- Lee-Oesterreich Lab – Pharmacology and Chemical Biology
- Dr. Li Lab – Center for Pharmacogenetics
- Dr. Ma lab – Center for Pharmacogenetics
- Microbiology Teaching Labs – Biological Sciences
- Ophthalmic Biomaterials Laboratory – Ophthalmology
- Parikh Laboratory – Infectious Disease
- Rehab Neural Engineering Lab – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Renal-Electrolyte Research – Medicine
- Richards-Zawacki Lab – Biological Sciences
- Scheff Research Lab – Neurobiology
- Dr Shaikh Lab – Pharmaceutical Science
- Teichert Lab – Psychiatry
- Dr Venkat Lab – Pharmaceutical Science
- Dr. Xie Lab – Center for Pharmacogenetics
- Dr. Yang Lab – Center for Pharmacogenetic
Green Offices
- 2nd and 3rd floor of Salk Pavilion – Pharmacy have achieved Sustainable Oak level designation