Achieving A Sustainable Campus

Sustainable Laboratory

Lab Awareness Principles

On this page:


Enviro Smart

Be Educated about Environmental Management
  • Courses available through Staff Development
  • Leaflets and information guides from the EHS Unit
  • Green Office and Green Laboratory Home Pages
Environmental Aspects Completed
  • Look to the Faculty Environmental Aspects page
  • Compare your general aspects
  • Add your individual aspects if required
Environmental Aspects Reviewed
  • Set Goals and Targets for minimizing negative impact
  • Review these every 3 years
Regularly discussing Environment issues
  • Have regular lab meetings to discuss EHS, issues
  • Follow through to your Department EHS Committee
Assessment of aspects on new work procedures
  • Look at the impact a new procedure will have
  • Check it against the criteria listed
  • Implement any controls to reduce environmental impact
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Purchase Smart

Buy the best product for the job
  • Buy from suppliers with Environmental Accreditation
  • Compare suppliers and products prior to purchase
Buy the cleanest product for the job
Buy the most efficient product for the job
  • Ensure it has 3+ star ratings
  • Aim for low energy usage
  • Product contains only non toxic products
Buy from the University
  • Check the Chemistry Store before looking externally
  • Check the Stationery Store before looking externally
  • Check University Computer Supplies (UCS)
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Power Smart

Turn off lights
  • Switch lights off when you leave the room
  • Have signs on switches
Turn off computer monitors
  • Shut down screens at the end of the day
Turn off computers
  • Switch off your computer at the end of each day
  • Leave it in save mode when not in use
Turn off Equipment
  • Use power save mode when on stand by (where possible)
  • Check all equipment at the end of the day
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Water Smart

Reduce Water use for washing up
  • Don't leave taps running
  • Use a rinse bucket to minimise water waste
Eliminate all water aspirators for suction
  • Look to purchasing electrical vacuum pumps
  • Trial vacuum pumps (available upon request from the EHS Unit)
Increase recovery for laboratory water
  • Upgrade laboratory water systems for an alternative that is less wasteful or that recycles water.
  • Do not leave Water Distillers or Reverse Osmosis units running over the weekend.
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Gas Smart

Stop gas leaking from cylinders
  • Ensure the correct regulator is fitted and is on properly
  • Close valve when not in use
Stop gas leaking from taps
  • Check taps when using bottled or reticulated gas
  • Always switch off when not in use
Use less gas to lower pollution
  • Check whether the gas is required
  • Use taps and regulators to restrict flow
Non compliant equipment containing CFCs is being replaced
  • Fridges/freezers pre 1996 are replaced
  • Dispose of through Property & Campus Services, Call 46000
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Chemical Smart

Work on a smaller scale
  • Aim for micro-scale experiments where possible
Use less Toxic Chemicals to lower pollution
  • Look for less hazardous substitute chemicals
  • Look for pre-prepared reagents
Ensure waste collected is segregated
  • Separate all chemical waste bottles
  • Ensure bottles are labeled clearly
  • This makes them easier to dispose of and cheaper too
Stop chemicals getting to drains
  • Store and use chemicals in containers or spill trays
  • Always prevent leakage to drains
  • Do not pour chemicals down the sink
Ensure spills are cleaned up properly
  • Use spill kits
  • Dispose of through Departmental waste collection
Know what to do to contain a spill
  • Train staff and students in spill kit use
  • Use bunding to stop escape of chemicals to drains
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Lab Smart

Reduce laboratory ware wastage
  • Purchase glass or other recyclable laboratory ware
  • Avoid use of disposable plastic items
Reuse laboratory ware
  • Purchase washable items
  • Avoid the use of single use items for non sterile activities
Reduce packaging in the laboratory
  • Return packaging to the manufacturer where possible
  • Reuse boxes for sending out items
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Computer Smart

Recycle Paper
  • Put paper in recycle bins
  • Shred it and send it to Pathology Dept Reception Level 5 Medical Bld
Recycle Cardboard
  • Leave cardboard boxes outside your lab
  • They will be taken to VISY for collection
Recycle Styrofoam
  • Styrofoam eskies can be reused by other laboratories
  • See who needs them in your Department
Recycle Commingle
  • All glass (except for Pyrex, schott, broken or dirty)
  • Put into the black commingle bins
Recycle Computers
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Recycle Smart

Recycle Paper
  • Put paper in recycle bins
  • Shred it and send it to Pathology Dept Reception Level 5 Medical Bld
Recycle Cardboard
  • Leave cardboard boxes outside your lab
  • They will be taken to VISY for collection
Recycle Styrofoam
  • Styrofoam eskies can be reused by other laboratories
  • See who needs them in your Department
Recycle Commingle
  • All glass (except for Pyrex, schott, broken or dirty)
  • Put into the black commingle bins
Recycle Computers
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Waste Smart

Manage Chemical Waste
  • Collect them in plastic bottles or containers
  • Disposal through the University Contractor
  • Organise through your department
Manage Radioactive Waste
  • Collect radioactive liquids
  • Store until below exposure limits for disposal
  • Disposal through University contractor
  • Contact Radiation Safety Adviser: see EHS Unit contacts .
Manage Biological Waste
  • Autoclave liquid media to inactivate harmful agents
  • Neutralize with Bleach to inactivate harmful agents
  • Pour downs sink only when neutralised!
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Hygiene Smart

Stop Contamination
  • Disinfect benches
  • Clean sinks
  • Keep hoods junk free
Stop the potential for incidents with chemicals
  • Keep only minimal quantities of chemicals on the bench
  • Always store liquid chemicals in spill trays
Increase recovery for laboratory water
  • Upgrade laboratory water systems for an alternative that is less wasteful or that recycles water.
  • Do not leave Water Distillers or Reverse Osmosis units running over the weekend.
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