Turning a new LEAF for lab sustainability

Many scientists are motivated by contributing to the betterment of society. However, scientific research often comes at an environmental cost, mainly concerning energy use and waste. At ETH, most Scope 3 emissions come from labs and equipment. To cut these emissions, ETH is participating in a pilot scheme for LEAF, a laboratory sustainability certification program developed at University College London. 19 labs across ETH received their Bronze, Silver, and Gold LEAF certificates at the end of January 2024. 

“Educating and inspiring people is the most important” says Dr. Miriam Filippi, a senior scientist at the Soft Robotics Lab (D-MAVT). As Sustainability Officer, she steered the group to a Gold-level LEAF certificate through integrating sustainability into everyday lab life. “Your last thought in the middle of an experiment is ‘how will the world be in 10 years?'”, she explains, “and so there is a need to get routines to be sustainable.” Filippi also created the “Green Roboticist” award within the group to motivate members and “make sustainable practices more respected.”  

LEAF actions range from using recycling bins to optimizing equipment energy use and actively reducing plastic waste. A well-organised group may already be implementing many sustainable actions. “It was less work than expected,” says Sabine Diedrich, lab manager at the Lab of Toxicology (D-HEST). Together with PhD student Jasmina Büchel, she steered the group to a Gold LEAF certificate. The online LEAF platform offers tips to get started, but Diedrich stresses the importance of networking and sharing experiences to create momentum and progress on a larger scale.  

Despite best efforts, the reality of scientific research means that some aspects, such as reducing single-use plastic waste, can be difficult to change. “There’s still so much waste,” Büchel laments. Filippi also notes that “connecting good sterility practice to sustainability” can be challenging and is filled with compromises. However, many groups certified in the LEAF pilot reuse ‘single-use’ materials such as plastics and aluminium where possible, and try to opt for reusable alternatives where possible. 

“Labs not yet in LEAF should know that with a little thought, significant reductions of single-use plastic items and electricity can be achieved,” emphasises Elisa Dultz, a senior scientist in the Weis lab (D-BIOL) and member of the ETH/UZH Greenlab group. “You can become part of the community that is interested in change by starting the discussion in your lab and connecting to others”. The ETH GreenLabs program, run by the ETH Sustainability Office and the Greenlab Zürich group, aims to eventually LEAF-review all ETH labs, and work together to build on existing initiatives, ultimately promoting sustainability across all labs.