Sustainable Research Models (SRM) Funding Scheme
This page is to share the success stories from two rounds of funded sustainability projects in recent years. In 2023, the 'Sustainable Research Models' (SRM) funding pool was secured, dedicated to supporting on-the-ground sustainability pilot projects in research environments within the university.
Staff were given the opportunity via two rounds, one in July and the other in November of 2023, to develop a business case for their sustainability projects, to be reviewed by a panel of technical and sustainability staff. Projects that were funded were required to produce progress reports to evaluate their sustainability efforts and to champion their project's success and share best practices upon completion by writing up their experience for university newsletters/bulletins.
Below lists the funded projects and the savings they have made. For more information or advice on sustainable projects you can contact us at sustainablelabs@exeter.ac.uk
SRM Funded Projects:
Round 1 (July 2023)
FabLab 3D Printer Plastic Recycling Scheme (Russ Edge): Equipment purchase to recycle unwanted 3D prints and support materials via grinding into pellets and transformation back into 3D printer filament/plastic sheets for reuse. SAVINGS: 7kg CO2 per annum for filament spools.
ReFactory PPE Recycling (James Coyne): To establish a separate waste stream for single-use PPE nitrile gloves, enabling uncontaminated gloves to be repurposed or recycled. SAVINGS: 3 tonnes CO2 per annum. Clinical waste production has been reduced by over 60%.
Fridge Replacement (James Coyne): To replace an outdated domestic fridge with a communal commercial reagent fridge. This replacement reduces the likelihood of duplicate reagent purchases in shared laboratories. SAVINGS: £225 per annum (due to decrease in duplicate purchases).
Coolant Recycling Vacuum (Nev England): Purchase of a coolant recycling vacuum to minimise the frequent replacement of coolant and reduce coolant waste disposal. SAVINGS: Coolant waste has been reduced by over 50% and coolant now lasts 6 months as opposed to 2 months.
Coolant recycling vacuum in action!
Round 2 (Nov 2023)
Penryn Fish Labs lighting & filtration upgrades (Tom Black & Amy Campbell): Upgrade to Fish Labs lighting and filtration systems via the replacement of 11 pumps; replace lighting systems; addition of inverters to system pumps. SAVINGS: 75% energy savings on lighting, 20% energy saving on pumps.
Growth cabinet LEDs (Nasser Trissi): Replace the fluorescent lights for 10 growth cabinets with energy saving LEDs (142 tubes). SAVINGS: 68kg CO2 per annum.
BioPhysics glasswasher & water re-circulator (Alex Dudgeon, Ellen Green, Suzy Eldershaw): Purchase of a glasswasher for BioPhysics to reduce water consumption and improve uptake of reusable glassware to replace single-use plastics. Purchase of a water re-circulator for still to reduce water usage during the production of distilled water. SAVINGS: 23,520 litres of potable water per annum, which equates to approximately 8-11kg of CO2 (link to calculator).
From left to right: Distilled water still, purchased water re-circulator, purchased glasswasher, reusable glass weighing boats & beakers.
