How to make a research site more sustainable
A practical, seven-step guide for whole-site sustainability.
Baseline your site
Start by measuring where you are. Gather data on energy and water use, waste, equipment and procurement across the whole site so you can see your biggest impacts and track progress over time.
Engage your people
Sustainability sticks when people are behind it. Get visible support from leadership, give teams clear ownership, and make it easy for staff to suggest and adopt better practices.
Tackle energy use
Research sites are energy-intensive. Focus on the big users: run ultra-low-temperature freezers efficiently, keep fume hoods closed when not in use, and review heating, cooling and ventilation schedules.
Reduce waste and consumables
Cut single-use plastics where you can, reuse and recycle properly, and right-size what you order so less is thrown away. Small changes across many consumables add up quickly.
Buy responsibly
Build sustainability into purchasing and procurement. Choose efficient equipment, prefer suppliers with strong environmental credentials, and consider the whole-life impact of what you buy.
Manage chemicals and samples well
Handle chemicals and samples safely and efficiently: share and reuse where appropriate, store them correctly, and reduce hazardous waste through better planning.
Evidence and certify
Record the evidence behind your improvements and pursue a site-level certification. A recognised credential turns your work into something you can show the sector, customers and investors.