The MRC Toxicology Unit has been awarded Silver Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation. This is a significant achievement in the Unit’s journey to conduct research more sustainably.

LEAF is a standard for sustainability and efficiency of laboratories that was developed by University College London (UCL). There are 85 institutions taking part globally, including the University of Cambridge.

Whilst laboratory-based research is essential to make our medicines and environments safer, it also uses a lot of resources and energy. Estimates indicate that laboratories use 3-10 times more energy per square meter than an office and create around 2% of global plastic waste. In order to continue vital research in the future it is essential to make laboratory-based research more sustainable.

Building on previous work by the Green Committee which enabled the Unit to receive the Bronze LEAF award in 2023, staff and students at the Unit have completed many more sustainability actions to achieve the Silver LEAF award. We were recognised with excellent comments from the LEAF auditor, “The MRC Toxicology Unit is super organised and a brilliant example of a team thinking really hard about how they can work smarter to be more sustainable. Engagement in LEAF is clearly high in the Unit and sustainability is front and centre in all decisions they make, whether around purchasing, waste disposal, or training.”

The LEAF programme provides a framework to support those working in and managing laboratories to reduce environmental impact. It provides guidance and criteria to help people to make impactful actions that support environmental sustainability. The scheme covers several key areas, including:

• People
• Research quality
• Sample and chemical management
• Equipment
• Ventilation
• Procurement
• Waste

Unit Director Anne Willis said “This accreditation is a strong reflection of the collective effort across the Unit and a great milestone in our sustainability journey. At the same time, it’s important to recognise that these new ways of working now need to be consistently embedded across all areas of the Unit. I very much hope we can build on this momentum and continue to strengthen sustainability as part of our everyday practice, as there is still so much more we can do together as Unit.”

Particularly thanks go to Patrick, Lucia and Paul, along with our LEAF champions: Alex, Andy, Anfas, Martin, and Rob for driving these initiatives forward with such commitment and energy.