Clear Haze Exchange

Laboratories are some of the most resource-intensive buildings in the world.
But many organizations still underestimate the operational, energy, and waste impacts happening inside research environments every day.

In this episode of Clear Haze Exchange, Marcus Hazelwood speaks with Ila Summitt, molecular biologist and Sustainability Certification Manager at My Green Lab. 
With more than 20 years of experience in academic, biotech, and clinical laboratory settings, Ila shares how labs can improve sustainability without compromising scientific integrity.

This conversation explores:
  •  why laboratories can consume 10x more energy than office buildings 
  •  the hidden operational impact of fume hoods and ultra-low freezers 
  •  how behavioral change drives measurable sustainability improvements 
  •  why waste and energy use in labs are often overlooked 
  •  how universities and biotech organizations are approaching sustainable science 
  •  the role of culture, leadership, and operational awareness 
  •  and how programs like My Green Lab Certification and the International Freezer Challenge are creating measurable global impact 
A key takeaway from this episode:
➡️ Sustainability in laboratories is not just about carbon reduction—it’s about operational intelligence, efficiency, and long-term performance.

This is a must-listen for professionals involved in:
  •  laboratory operations 
  •  higher education 
  •  biotech and life sciences 
  •  facilities management 
  •  sustainability strategy 
  •  healthcare research 
  •  and high-performance building operations 

What is Clear Haze Exchange?

Clear Haze Exchange is an interview-led podcast focused on simplifying sustainability while uncovering the hidden systems, decisions, and long-term impacts shaping our built environment and energy future.

Hosted by Marcus Hazelwood, an energy engineer with 15+ years of experience in sustainability and energy efficiency consulting, the podcast has evolved across two seasons:

Season 1 focused on breaking down the fundamentals—making energy efficiency, building systems, and sustainability concepts more accessible and practical for a wide range of listeners.
Season 2 builds on that foundation, diving deeper into the systems-level thinking behind sustainability—exploring how decisions in design, operations, policy, and business strategy create long-term outcomes.

Each episode features thoughtful conversations with industry leaders, engineers, architects, researchers, and decision-makers who are actively shaping the future of sustainability. From building performance and infrastructure to sustainable chemistry and organizational mindset, Clear Haze Exchange connects ideas across disciplines to provide real-world insight.

This podcast is for professionals and curious minds alike, those who want to better understand not just what sustainability is, but how it actually works in practice.

If you're interested in smarter investments, better systems, and meaningful progress, you're in the right place.

Subscribe to Clear Haze Exchange on your favorite platform and join the conversation.

For inquiries or guest opportunities: hello@clear-haze.exchange