LABORATORIES at the University of Reading are set to be the site of positive change for more than just the research happening inside them.
The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) has been implemented to make carbon-intensive work more environmentally friendly.
Reading achieved bronze status in the ten labs which underwent the pilot run of the scheme, meaning they could be saving 2.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Another 30 labs are set to achieve this goal in the next six weeks.
Marta O’Brien, LEAF project manager at the University of Reading, said: “Labs in our science-based buildings are responsible for a quarter of the University’s total energy consumption so we cannot afford to ignore their impact any longer.
“Our scientists can make a substantial difference with minor changes like turning off equipment when it is not in use and reassessing their waste management and purchasing practices.
“Cutting down on carbon does not mean sacrificing the quality of our world-leading research. We will continue to make important new discoveries while consciously making our labs greener.”
The programme is being introduced to all lab users across the university’s campuses, meaning more than 300 spaces could be affected.
In addition to energy savings, it is expected the scheme will improve recycling rates, reduce waste and could save the university around £3,700 per lab each year.
LEAF was set up by University College London (UCL), with Reading taking part in the pilot scheme in 2022. Its first successful bronze accreditation was given to Dr Stephen Elmore’s Food and Nutritional Sciences laboratory.
While the university continues its LEAF accreditation programme, it is also supporting Royal Berkshire NHS Trust colleagues based in the Harborne building through the Health Innovation Partnership (HIP) and via funding from the Collaborative Innovation Fund (CIF).
This collaborative project involves the NHS team taking part in the LEAF Clinical Laboratory Pilot programme, where 6 Histopathology labs have applied for bronze accreditation.
