Sustainable Labs and Workshops

Lab impact & our LEAF programme

The University has committed to reducing its carbon emissions with zero carbon from Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035, accompanied by challenging Scope 3 targets. In order for us to achieve this we need to consider how we operate in all spaces across the University, including labs and workshops.

What can we do to improve the sustainability of our lab operations?

By acknowledging the impact of our research, we can improve the sustainability of our operations. Methods to achieve this could include: be aware of all operational procedures relevant to your activities, consider sustainability opportunities and impacts in your grant applications, join your local Safety & Sustainability Network to share ideas across the University.

Join LEAF, the sustainable labs programme

LEAF is open to all labs on campus to help reduce the environmental impact. Labs that join LEAF can also access our Sustainable Labs Grant that is available to support labs in becoming more innovative and sustainable.

Find out below the benefits of joining LEAF, as well as some Top Tips for a sustainable lab. Check out our guidance videos below for more support. For further information and guidance, find our operational procedures, or join LEAF to access our resource pack!

Benefits of LEAF

Reduce your environmental impact by saving carbon emissions and other resources.
Get an award for your sustainable efforts.
User-led program. Fill out the criteria and submit anytime.
Increase your chances of obtaining funding from external bodies such as the Medical Research Council.
Make use of the sustainable lab fund. Email the Sustainability team for more details.

Top Tips for reducing plastic waste

Prevention:

Look into packaging schemes: can the packaging be sent back to the supplier and reused?

Reduction and re-use:

Understand what you use and the volume across projects - can you identify areas for reduction?
Can you reduce the size of the plastic used. Could you use a smaller volume tube or buy a smaller pack?
Can you adapt your experimental design?

Recycling:

Recycling should only be considered after reduction and prevention.
When purchasing plastic, check if it can be recycled after use. Can the plastic be decontaminated and recycled?
See Disinfection Guidance Sheet for more info.
Check out the recycling schemes at the University: polystyrene boxes and tip boxes on the waste management note WMGN34 - Laboratory Plastic Recycling

Top tips for equipment use

General equipment:

Ensure your equipment is suitably maintained, calibrated (if applicable) and serviced as this can extend its working life and ensure better quality of results for you in the lab.
Run incubators, drying cabinets and autoclaves when full (where feasible) to reduce energy use.

Fume hoods:

Do not use the fume hood as storage; this affects the flow and uses more energy.
Shut the sash when you are not using the fume hood.

Cold storage:

Check out the energy efficiency rating of the products to reduce lifetime costs.
Samples have been proven to be stored safely at -70⁰C instead of -80⁰C. This saves approximately £300 per year per ULT freezer in electricity.

Sustainable lab case studies / LEAF labs leading by example

An example from ILS1 4th floor:

This lab purchased an automated cell counter that uses reusable slides instead of single-use plastic slides. Using these slides is part of everyday methods in the lab and therefore significantly reduces plastic consumption. Additionally, the whole life cost of the reusable slides (if taken care of) is lower than that of continuing to purchase single-use slides. This is a good example of a lab purchase that could utilise the Sustainable Labs fund (available through LEAF) to reduce your impacts.

An example from ILS1 4th floor:

There is an established inventory system of all chemicals (for the In-Vitro Toxicology group) that includes manufacture, date received, expiry, H&S info from the MSDS sheet, and the owner of the chemical. This system is open to all groups on the floor to allow them to participate in an effort to better monitor what chemicals are on the floor. This could reduce freezer space being taken up through reducing duplicate purchases and potential chemical sharing within the group.