Environmental work
We all have a responsibility to respect and protect the environment.
The Vice Chancellor is responsible for the environmental work at University level and the head of the department is responsible for the environmental work within the department. However, it is important that everyone, both staff and students, help each other out and do their best to protect the environment. If you have ideas which could be beneficial in this context, please, contact the head of the department or the environmental officer.
University’s Environmental Aims (Miljöplan)
New environmental aims 2022-2024 (in Swedish)
Travel sustainably
Travels are a big part of the environmental liability, but is also where we have the opportunity to change our tactics and make a difference! For work-related trips in Sweden and the rest of the Nordics, choose to travel by train. For trips in Europe, travel by train, if possible! Find more details on sustainable travelling below.
Digital meetings
If possible, meet your colleagues from other parts of Sweden or abroad digitally! For this reason, you can use the meeting room 07.01100, which is specifically designed for digital meetings. Booking is available via TimeEdit.
Service bicycles
There are two service bicycles, one regular and one electric. Contact Campus management, if you want to borrow them. They are equipped with basket, helmet, vest and backpack. Rain ponchos are also available for borrowing.
Bike-firendly workplace
Bike-friendly workplace is a certification that we are working actively to encourage the University employees to bike to/from work. The certification is divided into five levels (1-5 stars). In 2021, EBC has been certified with four stars. The certification is shown at the entrance of Norbyvägen 18D.
Engine heaters
Engine heaters are placed at the parking spots and everyone is encouraged to use these. The power for the engine heater outlets at the big parking by house 20 is activated at 14:00. Other outlets are controlled by the time of departure and instructions for settings can be found close to the outlet.
Deliveries
To reduce transport emissions, we have asked the following companies to deliver goods to EBC at certain days:
VWR: Deliveries on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Thermo Fisher Scientific: Deliveries on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Chemicals
Check KLARA before you order new chemicals, make sure that what you need does not exist already in any of the labs at the department and if it does, borrow from another group, if you only need a little amount/volume. Prepare a risk assessment, if it is a new or a CMR-chemical. If it is hazardous, see if it can be replaced by a less hazardous substance. Don’t buy more than you need.
Waste managament
In all labs, there are recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal. In the offices, waste bins have been removed and replaced by bins for combustibles, plastic and compost have in all corridors. Containers for plastic, metal, glass, combustibles, compost and batteries are also available in the lunch rooms, fika rooms and in the corridors.
Freezers
Old freezers consume large amounts of energy, since they are not manufactured as optimally as newer freezers. Moreover, it is more likely to start leaking as they age and thus they will consume more energy, in order to maintain their optimal temperature. It is a good idea to replace old freezers with new, energy-efficient ones.
Consider setting the low-temperature freezers to -70oC instead of -80oC, if possible, in order to save energy. Studies have shown that this has no effect in the degradation of DNA and RNA samples.
Choose horizontal than vertical freezer upon purchase, if possible, as horizontal freezers maintain the cold better when they are open.
We have service agreements for all low-temperature freezers. Make sure that acquisitions of new low-temperature freezers are included in the service agreement we have with Ninolab and that discarded freezers are removed from the agreement.
Stock freezer (Concerns Systematic Biology)
Thermo Fisher Scientific has a freezer placed here where the most commonly used freeze items are stored. The stock can be adjusted in terms of numbers but also what items it shall consist of. Single orders are also possible. The freezer is situated at the Zooeco DNA-lab. (Contact the person responsible for the respective lab to get information about the service).
To think about
At the office: Consider printing articles/paper copies on both sides. Turn off your computer and the lights of the room, when you leave. Unplug everything before you leave, when you are done for the day.
At the lab: Program the PCR-machines to ≈8°C hold instead of 4°C. Turn off unused instruments. Change gloves only when needed. Use the same tips and tubes, if possible, and turn down the air flow in fume benches/hood when not used. The last person to exit the room turns off the lights.
In the lunch room: Sort properly your waste. If you buy food from “Hassan and Preecha”, use your own plate. Don’t throw away food and save water. Last person to leave turs off the lights.