Cellular Imaging & Analysis Sustainability Policy & Practice

LEAF bronze award

Our Commitment to Financial and Environmental Sustainability has led to the development of a sustainability policy providing a framework for reducing the environmental impact of our instruments, as a financially sustainable shared research facility. We are dedicated to embedding sustainable practices into our daily operations, supporting the institution's Net Zero goals and contributing to a greener research culture through initiatives like LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework).

We are proud to have met the criteria and achieved BRONZE Level LEAF Status in 2025. We will continue to build on the implementation of sustainable laboratory practices and hope to achieve SILVER LEAF award status in 2026. 

The Cellular Imaging and Analysis sustainability policy incorporates all facility staff, users, and visitors of the shared research facility. It covers all activities within the facility, including equipment operation, data analysis, consumable use, and waste disposal.

Our Key Objectives are to;

  • Minimise energy and water consumption.
  • Reduce and responsibly manage all waste streams. 
  • Foster a culture of environmental awareness.
  • Promote sustainable procurement practices. 

Lab equipment, particularly lasers and cooling systems, are our largest sources of energy consumption, so we have developed some easily applied best practices to reduce our energy footprint. 

Energy Best Practices for facility users include;

  • Powering down equipment fully after use whenever instructed, following facility SOPs. 
  • Book equipment efficiently to minimise idle time. 
  • Turning off analysis workstations and monitors when finished. 

At the facility we also; 

  • Implement scheduled "on/off" times for non-essential support equipment. 
  • Regularly maintain equipment for optimal efficiency. 
  • Monitor usage to identify anomalies. 
  • Promote "shut the sash" on instruments such as the Cryostat. 

Proper waste segregation is crucial for safety, compliance, and minimising environmental impact. Our goal is to reduce, reuse, and recycle wherever possible, while ensuring all hazardous waste is handled correctly.

The University has updated its waste management system in response to the Separation of Waste Regulations 2024, which came into force on 1 April 2025 and require businesses with 10 or more full-time employees to separate waste into four distinct streams before collection, outlined by DEFRA. Details on how this is applied in practice are displayed within the facilities at the recycling and segregation collection area. 

Our Procurement Principles include taking active steps to;

Consolidate: Place bulk orders to reduce packaging and transport emissions.

Choose Wisely: Favour suppliers with clear sustainability policies (e.g., recycled content, take-back schemes).

Review: Actively seek "greener" reagent alternatives (e.g., less hazardous dyes, room-temp storage).

Reduce Plastics: Prioritise reusable options (e.g., glass slides) where feasible and avoid single-use plastics when an alternative exists. 

Achieving our sustainability goals requires a collaborative effort from everyone. Our shared responsibility includes specific responsibilities for facility staff and for our our users. We ask that all facility users actively contribute through the following actions;

  • Agree to follow all waste segregation and equipment shutdown procedures. 
  • Plan experiments to maximise equipment use and minimise waste. 
  • Report any issues (e.g., leaking taps, equipment faults) immediately. 
  • Provide constructive feedback and new ideas for improving sustainability. 

At the facility we will; 

  • Provide clear training on sustainable practices and waste sorting. 
  • Ensure all policy information is accessible and up-to-date. 
  • Maintain equipment for peak energy efficiency. 
  • Liaise with suppliers, procurement and university estates to implement green initiatives.