Sustainability in Technical Services
As one of the greenest universities in the UK, Technical Services are keen to support environmental sustainability at Manchester Metropolitan and maintain our position as one of the top-rated UK Universities for Sustainability.
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How Technical Services are raising the University’s Sustainability Agenda:
Lab Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF)
Contributing to almost 2% of the world’s plastic waste, laboratories are central to sustainable challenges. A typical laboratory consumes 3 to 10 times more energy per square metre than other spaces and a standard freezer will use as much energy as a house.
LEAF provides a defined sustainability standard for laboratories by recommending actions for lab users to see first-hand their impact on waste, travel, energy, water, procurement and research.
Key features of LEAF:
- Allows users to quantify both financial and carbon savings
- Participants are awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate
The standard is applicable to individual laboratories or entire institutes – and can be used by technical staff, lab management, researchers and students.
LEAF’s first-year pilot in 2019 received over 100 submissions was delivered in partnership with 16 universities, including Manchester Metropolitan University.
74% of users reported that LEAF drove new improvements (not just a verification of previous practices), while across the institutions users estimated they saved £400,000 from taking part – coming from a combination of energy, waste and savings on equipment and consumables.
In 2021, Technical Services are delivering LEAF in our Life Sciences, Cell Biology and Food, Nutrition & Education laboratories. We are also piloting LEAF in a-typical spaces such as PrintCity, Makers and Fashion spaces.
“It’s been truly fantastic working with Manchester Metropolitan University. They were integral in piloting LEAF, and are at the forefront for integrating sustainability throughout the institution. The engagement by the technical community has been really impressive. I’m really looking forward to what comes next, in this great effort to enable sustainable science and laboratories.”
– Martin Farley, Sustainable Laboratory Advisor, University College London
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Your guide to laboratory consumables
Simple changes can be made to reduce the waste produced by research facilities, including improved planning and conscious purchasing. This is not only good for the planet, but also reduces costs to the lab. The Sustainable Lab Consumables Guide is intended to provide simple advice for users on what to consider when using common laboratory consumables.
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Bronze, Silver and Gold Accreditation
Please refer to the LEAF Criteria Assessment for guidelines on Bronze, Silver, and Gold accreditations, and the guides for more information on how to Sustainable Lab Equipment guide