i3S GreenLab Initiative: Reducing i3S carbon footprint since 2020
With the aim of promoting a more environmentally sustainable Institute, the i3S GreenLab volunteers have been promoting and boosting a variety of initiatives aimed at reducing laboratory waste (chemical and plastic) and individual waste, as well as energy consumption.
These initiatives promoted the adoption of a more sustainable lifestyle within the Institute, and have raised awareness among researchers. The activities organized by the i3S GreenLab Initiative include:
• Development of a platform for sharing surplus laboratory reagents;
• Setting up a national network of GreenLabs (https://greenlabs.pt);
• Replacing plastic material with glassware;
• Closing the windows of exhaust chambers and switching off equipment when not in use;
• Increasing the temperature of freezer cabinets (to -70ºC) and cleaning the filters every two months;
• Replacing disposable plastic or paper cups with proper (reusable) coffee mugs;
• Discount in coffee machines, enabling users to bring their own cup;
• Development of a website called GO4GREENLAB in the scope of the EUGLOH consortium (https://www.greenlabs.eugloh.eu/), with tips on how to reduce the environmental impact of laboratories;
• Reuse of Styrofoam boxes and cooling blocks by external organizations;
• Replacement of disposable personal protective equipment by reusable equipment in the i3S animal facility (one of the largest in the country and a major source of waste in disposable consumables at the Institute). In 2022, this initiative contributed to a reduction of 919 kg in disposable gowns and 69 kg in disposable shoe covers, compared to 2019, which resulted in a 50% reduction in equipment costs;
• Signing of a Letter of Commitment by i3S with members of GreenLabs PT, reinforcing the responsibility to take actions on reducing the i3S carbon footprint.
One of the i3S GreenLab main missions was to promote the implementation and consolidation of sustainable practices by the i3S laboratories. Currently, i3S is the first institute in the country with laboratories certified by the LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework, UCL), a non-profit pilot program that aims to help researchers adopt sustainable actions to reduce utility costs and the environmental footprint. With more than 95 registered institutions, LEAF is being used in 15 countries and is expanding rapidly, making it one of the largest green laboratory accreditations worldwide. In 2022, one research laboratory and one i3S scientific platform obtained the LEAF Bronze medal. Indeed, the sustainable certification of our community has been growing exponentially. By the end of 2023, there were already ten certified laboratories (eight Bronze medals and two Silver medals).
Implementing sustainable practices in the research work has proven to be a priority for our community, as demonstrated by the Silver level certification of two research groups (Cytoskeletal Regulation & Cancer Group and Neural & Skeletal Circuits Group), which are the only laboratories to achieve this classification at national level.
Next year, around seven laboratories have already committed to work with i3S GreenLab to obtain LEAF certification, thus confirming and reinforcing our community's pledge to adopting more sustainable practices. If you are interested in joining the LEAF program, send an email to greenlab@i3s.up.pt expressing your interest and the i3S GreenLab will guide you through the process of certification. As simple as that!