{"id":16628,"date":"2025-05-21T09:56:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T09:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/sustainability\/?page_id=16628"},"modified":"2026-02-18T16:01:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:01:34","slug":"leaf-laboratory-efficiency-assessment-framework","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/sustainability\/get-involved\/leaf-laboratory-efficiency-assessment-framework\/","title":{"rendered":"LEAF – Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework"},"content":{"rendered":"
Sustainability <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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What is LEAF?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Scientific research carried out in laboratories is a cornerstone of innovation and discovery. However, this progress often comes with a significant\"Imago environmental cost. Laboratories are known to consume far more energy per square metre than standard office buildings - up to ten times as much in some cases - and they contribute substantially to global plastic waste, accounting for an estimated 2%.<\/p>\n

To address these environmental challenges, the LEAF programme (developed by University College London<\/a>) offers a structured approach to improving sustainability within research environments. By adopting LEAF, laboratories can take meaningful steps to lower their energy use, cut down on waste, and embed environmentally responsible practices into their daily operations - all while maintaining, and often enhancing, the quality of research outputs.<\/p>\n

The programme recognises progress through a tiered award system<\/a>: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each level reflects the extent to which a lab has implemented sustainability measures, encouraging continuous improvement and long-term commitment to greener science.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Benefits of participating in LEAF<\/strong><\/h3>\n