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Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework

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We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of all our activities. Laboratory activities are one of the most intensive in terms of carbon impact of the University. This is due to the energy intensity of laboratory equipment, and the embodied carbon of chemicals and equipment, especially when compared to the more typical academic spaces.

LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework)

The University participates in the LEAF Link opens in a new windowinitiative, designed by UCL that facilitates and drives improvements in laboratory efficiency. LEAF is open to both staff and students working in laboratories, including research or teaching facilities.

A self-assessment with LEAF will show a laboratory group to what level they are working: bronze, silver or gold. Across the three levels there are criteria considering amongst others: waste, people, chemical handling, water, ventilation and research standards.

At Warwick we work within the UCL online tool to capture audit evidence, and also utilise online calculators to quantify actions where plausible.

Labs can join LEAF at Warwick by directly contacting the following key contacts or the Estates Sustainability Champion

The standard auditing schedule is launched each year in October, with submissions accepted year round, and auditing completed where needed between April and August. For adjustments to this schedule, or short turn arounds on submissions, please contact Sam Shaw.

Thirty labs took part in2023/24with more labs achieving gold than ever before. To see the outcomes from previous years:

What is required for LEAF?

LEAF bronze aims to be accessible for all labs. However it also has the most categories for initial compliance, in order to set the groundwork and ebbed sustainability within the lab space. The requirements are listed here with suggestions from our current labs as to how to achieve the Bronze award.

UCL LEAF Requirement

Warwick Implementation Suggestions
The lab has an induction procedure in place for all new arrivals, explaining the sustainable practices to take.  
The lab has a system in place to clear or track materials left by departing staff.  
Either the lab has a nominated person to drive sustainability forward or a group of people that meet to address sustainability.

There are departmental Green Action Teams.

The Staff & PGR Green Champions Network is home to the LEAF network at Warwick.
They should be a lab member within the online LEAF platform. Any members of a lab can sign up to the LEAF platform at the top of the page.
Sustainability has been added as a standing agenda item into regular meetings and/or relevant networks (e.g. Health & Safety)  
Purchasing of consumables is completed through central procurement Purchasing consumables through OPERA catalogues ensures the suppliers are competitive and compliant.
Energy and materials consumption have been considered during the purchase of new materials. When tendering with central procurement for new equipment the energy efficiency should be requested as part of the sustainability weighting.
All samples and chemical containers have legible labels, or there is a system in place to ensure that going forward all samples will be consistently labelled. Manufacturer packaging is preferable. LabCup is being used by Health and Safety for COSHH compliance.
The lab has a system in place for sharing chemicals between users within the lab group.

LabCup is being used by Health and Safety for COSHH compliance, and offers sample sharing.
Fume cupboards and safety cabinets possess signage encouraging good practice.  
Any issues that estates must address have been reported. This includes ventilation, room pressure, water leaks, heating & cooling, and etc. Contact: estates.servicedesk@warwick.ac.uk
The lab possesses required waste bins (possibly clinical, glass/sharps, hazardous etc.), as well as recycling/general waste bins with appropriate and clear signage.  
Ideally users should request life-cycle assessments (LCAs), though should be prepared for vendors to not have these available. This is most pertinent when tendering for equipment over £10,000, and should be included within Tenders.
Heat sources on cold storage equipment are not blocked, and any filters are cleaned regularly. This could also be applied to data banks or in-lab servers that require ventilation. All units should be at least 3" or 7 cm from a wall.
Cold storage, ovens, or incubators are only operated when they are as full as possible. Highest energy intensive equipment should be run efficiently, considering the total load capacity, run time, and minimising the start up / close down sequencing without increasing the standby time.
There is a system in place to ensure equipment and lights are turned off when they are not needed. RAG stickers are available, and recommended for use on small equipment without start up / close down sequencing where time would not be lost by turning off after use.
Computer monitor brightness settings and computer time-to-sleep have both been minimised.  
The lab (or relevant group) has taken part in 1 team activity of sorts over the course of the year, or one is imminently planned. This could include the Green Champion bi-monthly lunches, or Biodiversity surveys
Common protocols and methods are centrally shared and available to all lab members. Use of SharePoint is suggested, QR codes can be used to provide point of requirement documentation.
Computer monitor brightness settings and computer time-to-sleep have both been minimised.  
The lab has had its pipettes, scales, and any such equipment calibrated in the past year, or has them scheduled to be done. This applies to all equipment, having planned preventative maintenance, or annual servicing / calibration in place for all equipment.