The School’s Advanced Polymer Sintering Laboratory (APSL) in the Royal Exchange Building secured bronze in recognition of its improved sustainable practices and helping reduce the University’s environmental footprint at last month’s Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) awards.
Successfully completing its first year, the University’s Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) has accredited numerous labs. Already adopted by many UK universities, the initiative has signed up over 9,000 labs throughout the sector and facilities can achieve Bronze, Silver, or Gold accreditation. The programme offers multiple advantages: supporting the University’s net-zero carbon targets, generating financial savings, improving lab safety, and fostering an empowered research community that drives positive change.
The sintering lab was evaluated across the key areas of energy efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable procurement, and community engagement. As well as displaying a proactive approach to data and equipment sharing as well as knowledge transfer activities, the lab's performance was particularly strong in waste awareness and how much polymer waste is generated through routine research. A group of PhD students is already researching practical ways the lab team can more effectively reduce, reuse, and recycle the significant amount of polymer waste they generate.
Wendy Birtwistle, Technical Specialist, who led the lab’s application, said: “The bronze award reflects the collective effort of the team and the importance we place on sustainability. For me, it’s a positive step forward - one that shows we can reduce our impact while continuing to deliver excellent research. I’ve always been interested in what happens to our waste after it leaves the lab. Reading statistics that suggest 2% of all plastic waste is generated by laboratories made me feel strongly that we needed to take action and my goal has been to set an example by reducing waste and energy consumption without affecting the quality of our research.”
This recent award builds upon the success of the Laser Laboratory's Bronze Accreditation in the LEAF pilot scheme earlier in the year. Lead technician Mohammed Al-Aidroos spearheaded that application and positioned the lab as a potential winner.
Mohammed Al-Aidroos, Engineering Technician (Energy), said: “Being awarded Bronze Accreditation for the Laser Lab, was a really proud moment for us, especially being the first lab in MAC to achieve it. As the lab technician, I helped coordinate the process by reviewing our daily practices, collecting data, and implementing changes that made our work more sustainable. It’s been rewarding to see how small adjustments, like reducing energy and material waste, can make a real difference. This recognition motivates us to keep improving and aim for Silver next.''
Dr Candice Majewski, Senior Lecturer, said: “Additive Manufacturing techniques are often talked about in terms of sustainability, but it's important to us to be continuously looking at ways we can improve in this area. This award will be part of our ongoing efforts to be as efficient and sustainable as possible.”
The Advanced Polymer Sintering Laboratory researches Laser Sintering (LS) and High Speed Sintering (HSS) 3D printing of polymer powders. The primary focus is understanding polymer behavior during these processes, specifically their interaction with heat and mechanics. This knowledge is used to improve final part quality and, in collaboration with industry partners, develop new and better 3D printing materials for manufacturing.
The LEAF awards are an ongoing initiative. If you work in a lab, are on a sustainability committee, or are otherwise interested in submitting or getting involved, please contact the team through their website.
