{"id":12027,"date":"2022-06-29T12:09:11","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T12:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/sustainability\/?p=12027"},"modified":"2022-06-29T12:09:11","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T12:09:11","slug":"a-new-leaf-in-laboratory-sustainability-at-the-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/sustainability\/2022\/06\/29\/a-new-leaf-in-laboratory-sustainability-at-the-university\/","title":{"rendered":"A new LEAF in laboratory sustainability at the university"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new LEAF in laboratory sustainability at the university<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The University of Reading provides invaluable teaching and research through our on-campus laboratories. The\u00a0nature of laboratory work is very carbon-intensive and, as a result, the universities\u2019 science-based buildings represent 25% of total energy consumption and produce 20% of total day-to-day waste (by weight) .<\/p>\n

In order to support all relevant departments with creating a more sustainable laboratory culture,\u00a0we are now participating in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF). LEAF is an online assessment tool to aid improvements in the sustainability and efficiency of both research and teaching laboratories and is already being used by over 70 global institutions.<\/p>\n

We are pleased to announce that the first Bronze Award, has been awarded to Dr Stephen Elmore of the Food and Nutritional Sciences Department! Congratulations to Stephen and his team for their efforts – we hope that it is the first of many.<\/p>\n

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(left to right) Scott O\u2019Brien (UoR LEAF co-ordinator), Dr Stephen Elmore (Associate Professor), Andrew Whittam (Technical Manager – Operations), Olga Khutoryanskaya (Technical Manager \u2013 Chemistry)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Scott O’Brien (L) and Dr Stephen Elmore (R) at Show Your Stripes Day<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What is LEAF?<\/u><\/p>\n

LEAF is a framework providing a set of criteria to improve and maintain efficiency in all areas of laboratory operations. Participants first earn Bronze, then Silver and ultimately Gold standards for completing each band of criteria, while making considerable savings in their carbon production and financial costs.<\/p>\n

The LEAF platform also provides insightful data via the online calculator to estimate the environmental and economic savings, set future targets and tangibly demonstrate the impact that your laboratory is having. The criteria can also support with the environmental impact of research and related travel. The scheme is user-led and allows access to expert resources such as technical guides, case studies and further supporting documents.<\/p>\n

Achieving the Bronze Award<\/span><\/p>\n

When asked why he wanted to participate in LEAF, Dr Elmore said: “As I am a member of the School Sustainability Group and also a Laboratory Manager, I was asked by Kate Fletcher (Chair of the Sustainability Group) if I would volunteer to be the first Laboratory Manager to apply for LEAF accreditation. As I consider sustainability important, as well as the associated financial benefits obtained by running a sustainable laboratory, I was happy to take part in the process.”\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

The LEAF Award is being supported by Technical Services, who are providing resources, expertise and assessment to support laboratories.<\/p>\n

Describing his experience of the award, Dr Elmore said: “The process was quite straightforward, particularly with the help I received from Andy Whittam (Technical Manager – Operations), Olga Khutoryanskaya (Technical Manager \u2013 Chemistry) and Scott. I\u2019m looking forward to applying for the Silver Award.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

What are the benefits?<\/u><\/p>\n