There’s still time to get involved and sign up for LEAF 2022!

What is LEAF?

The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework is an initiative which provides a systematic approach to improving sustainability and efficiency in the laboratory. A tool like this is crucial, as a typical laboratory consumes much more energy per m² than academic spaces.

LEAF allows laboratories to work towards a defined standard, bronze, silver or gold levels, and contains criteria which lab users can implement around areas such as waste & recycling, equipment management, procurement, and more. LEAF addresses reproducibility and research quality as key efficiency targets, in recognition that reproducible science is sustainable science.

So far 12 labs and 22 people across School of Life Science, Warwick Medical School and the Chemistry department have committed to participate in LEAF. The deadline for LEAF submission is April 2022.

Why participate?

Here are the thoughts of Cleidiane Zampronio Chief Technician, WPH Proteomics Facility RTP:

‘I learned a lot when I submitted the LEAF bronze award in 2020 and I'm thinking about trying for the silver award this year. We still have a long way to go, labs consume a lot of energy, and we use so much plastic that cannot be recycled as yet. However, if we look carefully, we will always find areas that can be improved and make our laboratory more sustainable. Ultimately, I believe that small steps will make a huge difference. For example, we were able to reduce some of our consumables by improving sample preparation; we saved energy by switching off computers and equipment that didn’t need to be on all night; we also found a new home for one of our old mass spectrometers.’

Find out more about LEAF and read case studies from some of the Green Action Teams who have got involved.