In November 2021, as several labs at the Dunn School underwent transitions, an opportunity arose to embrace sustainable practices. The workshop consolidated surplus equipment and consumables from various labs into one central space, giving birth to the "Green Room." Under the care and organization of the Green Group members, this room became a hub for repurposing lab items, fostering a culture of sharing and minimizing waste. Everything in the Green Room was free, encouraging Dunn School members to take what they needed without cost, promoting resourcefulness and sustainability.

The Green Room’s impact extended beyond the Dunn School. Occasionally, the entire University was invited to explore and claim items, and local schools benefitted as well, receiving equipment to enhance their science demonstrations, amplifying the room's environmental and educational impact.

The Green Room’s legacy continued when it was eventually replaced by a new lab, and surplus items found a new home in the "Community Cupboards" in the Dunn School's basement corridor. These cupboards, much like the Green Room, provided a space for redistributing lab equipment, consumables, and stationery, keeping the culture of sharing alive.

However, as needs evolved, the Community Cupboards too became part of our legacy. Today, Dunn School members primarily use the reagents and equipment mailing list and the University of Oxford Lab Sustainability Team's group to advertise unwanted equipment and consumables. Additionally, we leverage platforms like Warpit and the UniGreen Scheme, which help redistribute surplus items across the university, preventing valuable resources from going to waste and promoting sustainability on a larger scale.

While the physical spaces of the Green Room and Community Cupboards are no longer in use, their spirit endures. The commitment to sustainability, sharing, and minimizing waste remains central to the Dunn School's ethos, now carried forward through digital platforms and collaborative initiatives that broaden our reach across the university.