Leaf
The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) is designed to help users address and improve their sustainability practices.
A lab’s environmental impact can be 3-10 times more than that of a traditional office. Not only do labs use more energy, but they also use more resources and produce more waste. To combat this, the University of Surrey is dedicated to achieving LEAF certification in all its labs.
What is LEAF
LEAF is a sustainable lab certification tool designed by over 23 universities. The framework encourages lab users to improve lab efficiency and minimise environmental impacts.
How it works
Labs across the University are encouraged to create their own teams. These teams are provided with set sustainability actions to work through to sequentially achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold. These actions not only cover the environmental impacts of labs but also personal travel and research quality.
Whilst completing LEAF, teams are supported by the University’s Sustainability Team and are also encouraged to join the Sustainable Labs teams channel in order to gain access to useful resources.
Achievements are celebrated once labs have been audited.
Who can take part
The scheme is aimed at academic groups or teams who work within a lab. Non-academic and academic staff (including PhD students) can organise their own teams, ensuring flexibility for those wanting to get involved with LEAF. For example, a team may include all staff from a research group, all staff in a lab, or technical staff working in labs. LEAF isn’t designed for whole-buildings so team sizes should cover a lab or suite of labs.
Benefits of taking part
There are many benefits to taking part in LEAF:
- Reduces utility costs providing the opportunity for direct savings through financial incentive schemes.
- Provides recognition for individual labs on a national stage.
- Provides the chance to gain additional research funding.
- Increases research efficiency.
- Integrates different labs and departments providing a community.
- Practice-based learning experiences, improving professional skills and employability.
- Aligns with our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Strengthens relationships between Estates, lab users and other stakeholders.
- Enables a bottom-up sustainability movement.
- Inter-lab and inter-departmental benchmarking.
- Selling point for prospective students.
- Ensures health and safety compliance within all lab.
Key Successes
During 2023-2024, 9 labs from across the University achieved LEAF bronze awards, with 3 more achieving silver.
A LEAF steering group, made up of academic and professional service staff across all three University faculties, has been created to continue to deliver sustainable change across all our labs. . A key success from this group has been the agreement to launch Unigreen scheme at Surrey. This asset resale service allows universities to buy and sell lab equipment, encouraging reuse and reducing unnecessary waste from our labs.
Want to get involved?
The University of Surrey are looking for staff and students to take part in LEAF.