Charting our sustainability journey within the Division of Surgery and Interventional Science at University College London

Abstract

This article describes a case study of our journey to running more sustainable labs within the Division of Surgery and Interventional Science at University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom. Through the setting up of a self-assessment team within the division, we asked the key question, ‘what does sustainability mean in science and how will we apply this to our academic Division?’ Our division’s sustainability team took on the challenges to tackle unsustainable practise, primarily within our laboratories. By considering and implementing simple steps within our research department, we have reduced lab waste as well as decreased our overall carbon emission. We have clarified our hallmarks of sustainability and seek to share our changed practices to provide clear and easy guidance for how to make medical research divisions sustainable based on the actions taken in our labs. This study provides guideline on how to make academic research more sustainable by describing simple steps to implement in the laboratories. These steps were described using Division of Surgery and Interventional Science at UCL as a case study. The division’s sustainability team develops sustainable lab practices, which has led to reduction in lab waste and carbon emissions.