Technical Services Sustainability Programme: Manchester Metropolitan University

The NTDC and LEAF (Laboratory Assessment Efficiency Framework) have collaborated on a pilot project with several universities across the country to improve sustainability in technical areas. Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is one of the key institutes involved with the pilot project. In this article, the Technical Services team detail their sustainability journey.

Manchester Metropolitan University is ranked number one in the People and Planet University League 2021, recognising the university’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions, working towards a zero-carbon future and putting sustainability at the heart of the university, proudly continuing our incredible run.

To support the university’s wider sustainable strategy, in 2021 an ‘Environmental and sustainability engagement programme’ was integrated throughout Technical Services. The programme created opportunities for Technicians to foster sustainable and environmental knowledge and share sustainability best practice and achievements.

Technical Services are a team of 200 highly trained, highly qualified Professional Services staff, who work in specialist areas such as laboratories, workshops, theatres, and studios - providing support to students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) and researchers. Our technicians were engaged with sustainable practices at varying levels and had an appetite to increase their development.

The new programme of opportunities complemented our existing commitment to deliver LEAF, an initiative that focuses on actions relating to waste, travel, energy, water, procurement, and research quality in laboratories. These laboratories can potentially use 5 to 10 times more energy per square metre than other workspaces.

The framework is led by University College London and was piloted nationwide by 23 institutions, of which Manchester Metropolitan University was one. We have now enrolled in the full programme since its launch in February 2021. Labs receive awards in the form of a bronze, silver, or gold accreditation, dependant on actions undertaken within the workspaces.

A committee of technicians frequently meet to lead the delivery of LEAF within Technical Services. We are delighted that 12 of our laboratory spaces that cover life and cellular sciences and education have achieved a bronze level accreditation. The committee has also support student-led internships and placements, where the LEAF framework had been used as a learning tool to increase students’ sustainable skills development.

We are working closely with University College London to introduce the LEAF initiative into space types currently not covered by the framework. For Manchester Metropolitan University these include: PrintCity (3D printing and digital manufacturing), Fashion and Textiles (fashion, technology and innovation), makers spaces (ceramics, glass, plaster, digital, print, wood and metal) and the new university’s greenhouses.

“It’s been truly fantastic working with Manchester Metropolitan University. They were integral in piloting LEAF, and are at the forefront for integrating sustainability throughout the institution. The engagement by the technical community has been really impressive. I’m really looking forward to what comes next.”

- Martin Farley, Sustainable Laboratory Advisor, University College London

In addition to LEAF, we shared the opportunity for technicians to participate in the university’s Green Gown award-winning Carbon Literacy training programme (a total of 70 technicians out of a team of 225 participated) encouraging colleagues to revaluate behaviours and to consider ways in which carbon emissions can be reduced at work and at home. A bespoke format of the training for managers was offered as part of the learning portfolio.

Technicians are integral to several sustainability projects including PrintCity who are delivering TRANSFORM-CE, a €9.6 million project which is pushing the boundaries of research and innovation in recycling.

The projects aims are to divert thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills across north-west Europe but also create new economic demand for the uptake of recycled plastic materials by businesses, both locally and further afield. Our food and nutrition technicians, who worked with students to develop Grow Café and its meat-free offerings on-campus and our Fashion and Textiles team implemented recycle, re-use and re-purpose fabric and paper hubs on-site.

Other activities included a Technical Services sustainability led presentation at the Institute of Science and Technology Conference creating a new sustainability network ‘Sustain’ (the network developed an online free-cycle to eliminate waste, and share products across the department), growing our sustainability digital communications (website, e-newsletters and social media platforms) and introducing a sustainability award to our Technical Services conference, which was awarded this year to the technical services ‘Resource Centre’. The centre put into place sustainable practices following an in-depth audit of their operations.