The White City laboratory has been awarded Gold Award Accreditation in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF).
LEAF aims to improve laboratory efficiency, helping to reduce energy and water consumption, as well as carbon emissions and plastic waste. Over 85 global institutions and 1600 labs take part in LEAF.
Gold accreditation is only awarded the laboratories that reach the highest level of efficiency. Laboratories must prove that they meet 48 distinct sustainability criteria, including promoting greener travel for laboratory users and increasing facility recycling rates.
“The Department of Chemistry is proud to be leading in this initiative and the AMS is now the fourth group within the Department to obtain Gold LEAF status,” said Dr Trevor Ferris, the Departmental Research Facilities Manager.
Dr Ferris said that the laboratory improved users’ awareness of sustainability by implementing clear signage around the AMS and providing training.
“The signage included advice and guidance on how to save electricity, and how to recycle and reuse laboratory boxes and bottles,” he said.
Doing essential scientific research can be energy and resource intensive. It is estimated that laboratories generate around 2 per cent of the world’s plastic waste and use three to 10 times more energy than a typical office.
Dr Ferris, supported by Kamil Skirlo, Analytical Instrumentation Technician at AMS, hopes to register other facilities across Imperial in the LEAF programme.
Dr Lisa Haigh, Technical Operations Manager at the Department of Chemistry, is also leading the widespread adoption of the programme: “Small changes can make big differences.”
Dr Haigh sits on the Faculty of Natural Sciences Sustainability Strategy Committee, chaired by Professor Jem Woods (Centre for Environmental Policy), which discusses and share best environmental practices across Departments.
She says that she is in the process of encouraging energy saving by obtaining real data usage on common laboratory pieces of equipment. “We actively encourage researchers on new purchases that efficiency should be prioritised over cost,” Dr Haigh said.
Improving laboratory efficiency sits within Imperial’s Sustainability Strategy, which aims to transition to net zero by 2040. It works across three themes: resource management; academic excellence; and engagement with Imperial’s key stakeholders.