Using an online self-assessment survey, My Green Lab asks individual members of the participating lab a series of questions— covering topics such as how they use and maintain equipment, the techniques they employ, and how they purchase, use, and dispose of products. Using these responses, the program helps to identify best practices already in place and recommend steps that the lab could take to adopt additional sustainability best practices.

Using recommendations from My Green Lab as guidelines, the program encourages the lab personnel to take some time (typically ~6 months) to make changes in their laboratory, enlisting the help of their organization’s sustainability team, safety, facilities, or EH&S teams (if applicable).

After a number of changes are made, members of the lab retake the online self-assessment survey. The extent of progress in adopting best practices in the lab through the responses provided is quantified. Subsequently, the lab receives an overall score (in percentage) and a certification level. The lab receives new recommendations for further improvements to make before they seek re-certification in two years (the certification is valid for two years).

After the initial certification, the lab must re-certify within two years to maintain their certified status. Labs can come back sooner (within one year) if they want to check in on their progress more regularly.

When the lab is ready for re-certification, they retake the online self-assessment survey to see what best practices are still implemented and where they might make future changes. By making this a continuous improvement process, labs can make continual changes and gauge how well the sustainability best practices are being passed on to newer members of the lab— and consequently, to what extent sustainability has become part of the lab culture.​