Achieving A Sustainable Campus

Sustainable Laboratory

Research Laboratory Final Report

A research laboratory, the final lab to pilot the Green Laboratory Program (GLP), involves work with mainly:

Staff responses were gathered via the Gap Analysis Checklist.

There are around 11 laboratory staff with different roles including honours and Ph.D. students, research assistants and Post-doctorates (two are lab head and deputy lab head). The work each staff member undertakes is relatively independent and involves a great deal of experimental design, odd working hours and trial and error methodology. This tended to be the reason why many gaps were gathered.

The Gaps:

Training and Induction
When new staff, honors and post-graduate students join the department, they are subjected to a full week of half-day EHS induction. These cover a broad range of EHS issues including Ethidium bromide use and disposal, Safety cabinetwork, chemical/biological safety, radiation safety and how to work safely with animals. They're given an introduction to the RMO and a small overview of the Environment plus an induction from their supervisor once in the lab. An aim of the Green Laboratory Program is to work into and have the standards implemented through this induction processes.
Water
Water aspirators are in use in the laboratory, with several hundred litres a month being wasted. Due to the HPLC solvents in the suction process, the laboratory feels expensive replacements for the aspirators will corrode within in a matter of months. The Department Laboratory Manager is aware of the situation now and has taken it up now.
Electricity
Most computers are IMAC and are shut down at the end of the day. However, non-IMAC monitors will need to be manually turned off. Lights are turned off at the end of the day but are on for long periods due to the nature of work and the odd hours staff work.
Packaging
Polystyrene (EPS) is reused where possible but not recycled at this stage. One company was taking its own packaging back at one stage but stopped it when, logistically; it was not paying off. EPS recycling for the University is in the pipeline.
Chemicals
Water soluble waste solvents such as DE stain and Western Transfer buffer are put down the sink in small volumes but a decision has been made to collect the waste and have it collected by the department contractor. 40% methanol containing products should not go into trade waste.

View the Gap Analysis for the Research Lab

Conclusion:

The gaps consisted mainly of discrepancies where the lab directly needed to improve on or there were gaps where the university needs to take the initiative to implement thus the lab would adopt. Issues including:

top of page