The research and innovation sector has made great strides in environmental sustainability. Actions that began as grassroots laboratory improvements have paved the way for sector-wide commitments such as the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation.
Funders increasingly embed sustainability into their requirements, sometimes requesting formal evidence of relevant work. Programmes such as the laboratory efficiency assessment framework (Leaf) are now widely adopted, signalling a shift from viewing sustainability as optional to standard practice. However, engagement at laboratory level often lags behind ambitious policies. Here is how researchers can bridge this gap.
1. Learn from sustainability-focused networks
We recommend drawing on existing frameworks and communities, rather than working independently. Programmes such as Leaf offer structured guidance to help prioritise actions and track progress. Among others, the UK Network for Sustainable Research provides case studies and peer support, while technical staff communities such as the Institute of Technical Skills and Strategy Environmental Sustainability Network offer practical insights for complex lab environments. Assigning a team member to monitor these networks and share relevant ideas can lead to a steady flow of tested solutions.
2. Work with others beyond your lab
Collaboration between laboratories reduces resource duplication and improves efficiency. Neighbouring labs can co-develop shared sustainability inductions, so that new staff receive consistent guidance.
Joint purchasing of sustainable materials or refillable consumables can cut costs and improve access while reducing deliveries. Sharing equipment where possible increases use and the variety of available resources and reduces unnecessary duplication. A simple forum for exchanging updates and agreeing on priorities is a great way to sustain momentum and promote shared ownership across departments.
3. Make it personal and build accountability
Concerns around increased workloads can hamper sustainability efforts. To counter these:
- Normalise sustainability checks by embedding them into existing routines, such as lab meetings or safety reviews
- Strengthen motivation by linking sustainability work to research values. For example, encourage medical researchers to take sustainability actions that lead to positive health outcomes
- Share tasks between all members of a group to reduce the perceived individual burden and make it clear that everyone is working towards the same goal.
Clear responsibilities are essential for embedding sustainable lab practices. Allocating tasks such as freezer maintenance or the monitoring of waste streams creates accountability. And by rotating roles, lab members can gain a wider understanding of sustainable lab practices.
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4. Make sustainable practices straightforward
Behaviour change is more likely when we make the sustainable options easy. Ways to do this include placing recycling and reuse stations in convenient, clearly labelled locations and ensuring that the necessary systems are in place to manage waste from the moment it goes into the bin until it reaches its final destination.
Where possible, ensure equipment is set to efficient default settings to reduce reliance on user intervention. Providing concise guidance and demonstrations for tasks such as freezer defrosting or waste segregation builds confidence, reduces uncertainty and turns sustainability into routine practice.
5. Introduce fun signage
Playful signs are often more memorable than traditional stickers. For example, to remind users to close a fume hood sash, you could use a sticker with a smiley face, with half the face attached on to the frame and the other to the glass, meaning that users can only complete the smiley face if they close the sash. Or you could change the smiley face to something relevant to your area of research, like staff did at another lab at our university (a zebrafish that needed its stripes). Something slightly wacky could incentivise best practice, so break the mould.
Keep messages clear, concise and, where appropriate, humorous, to prevent “sign blindness”. Also, ensure you address common uncertainties directly. For example, clearly state “This monitor can be turned off”, or “The computer must be kept on”, to remove all doubt.
6. Apply your scientific skills
Meaningful sustainability improvements go beyond swapping materials – they come from rethinking how we design experiments and manage labs. You can draw on your scientific expertise to challenge “this is the way we’ve always done it’’ approaches and redesign methods to reduce resource use and potentially support new research avenues, while maintaining robust, reproducible research.
At the same time, improving organisation – such as by maintaining accurate inventories, updating standard operating procedures and improving a lab’s management systems – supports better experimental planning, reduces downtime and prevents over-ordering.
7. Celebrate progress and reinforce behaviours
Acknowledge and share successes within and beyond the team to motivate staff and encourage wider adoption. You can even formalise recognition by offering awards to incentivise this work even further.
By sharing measurable outcomes, such as reductions in energy use or waste, in lab or departmental meetings, you can demonstrate how your lab is enabling progress towards institutional sustainability goals.
Laboratories do not need major transformation to make meaningful progress towards sustainability. Consistent, practical actions, supported by clear communication and shared responsibility, can embed sustainability into everyday practice and make lasting impacts to your institution and beyond.
Andrea Hodgetts is head of research sustainability; Caitlin Broadbent is a sustainable research officer; Hong Zhang is a sustainable research administrator. All work at UCL.
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