Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF)
LEAF: WHAT IT IS?
LEAF is a sustainable lab certification program that has been recently launched as a pilot study at Queen's University, exploring ways in which to help labs across campus become more aware of their sustainability.
WHO IS INVOLVED?
The programme will aim to embed good sustainability practices within participating QUB laboratories, with a view to rolling out across all labs at the University.
The following schools are participating in the pilot:
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Science
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Maths and Physics
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
BENEFITS OF GAINING A GREEN LAB CERTIFICATION
There are numerous benefits from labs being involved in the LEAF Program. These include:
- Reduced utility costs and environmental footprint
- Ensuring health and safety compliance within labs
- Increased research efficiency
- Provides recognition for individuals labs and the University on a national stage
- Enables a bottom-up sustainability movement
- Helps integrate different labs and departments from around the University
- Practice-based learning experiences that improve professional skills and employability
- Strengthening of relationships between Estates, lab users and other stakeholders
- The chance to align your research with the University Net Zero Strategy
- Inter-lab and inter-departmental benchmarking
- Creating a better understanding within our community of our science buildings and operations
- Labs being able to align with our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals
Assessment Criteria
Bronze, Silver and Gold Criteria
Labs can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold level depending on the level of commitment to each criteria. Target areas in the labs include:
- Waste
- People
- Purchasing
- Equipment
- IT
- Sample and Chemical Management
- Research Quality
- Teaching Criteria
- Ventilation
- Water