GMU is commitment to achieving SDG 7 through various sustainable initiatives and practices focused on energy and resource optimization.

Environmentally Friendly Practices in Infrastructure and Facility Management

Optimal collection and disposal of waste adhering to Municipality norms.

GMU is committed to environmentally friendly waste management through a proper collection of waste at its point of generation and disposal of waste as per Municipality norms. We encourage reuse and reduction of waste generation to the maximum extent. We ensure optimal utilization of resources such as classrooms, lecture halls, labs, etc. through a well-designed resource tracking system. GMU sustainability Model (People Planet & Profit – PPP) is consistent with the mission and vision of the university to ensure that the organization recognizes and delivers effectively its responsibilities towards society and environment while focusing on its objectives. Planet related objectives are achieved through compliance with environment-friendly waste management, adopting paperless practices and systems and effectively monitoring utility consumption.

Periodic inspection is in place to ensure optimal consumption of water and electricity, periodic checking & analysis of generator smoke and water quality by the maintenance team to ensure an overall safe environment. We have a dedicated biomedical engineer to ensure all lab equipment are purchased, operated and maintained as per the international norms of sustainability.

We use timers on the lab equipment that don’t need to be left overnight, or during specific periods of time throughout the day. The benefits of this is a reduction in energy consumption, cost, environmental impact, and often increase in the useful life of the equipment. Fume hoods use a tremendous amount of energy hence are open only when being actively used.

Resource Optimization: Effective Utility Consumption Monitoring

Energy Efficiency in Lab Operations

Labs involve higher costs of building and operating than other classrooms, lecture halls, and office buildings. Further labs consume higher energy than other areas. The Lab In-charge of all labs ensures that all equipment is turned off in unoccupied rooms. All equipment is periodically inspected as per the guidelines for lab maintenance guidelines. All labs have well-defined lab waste disposal policy. Lab waste is disposed off through an outsourcing agency in strict compliance with the Ministry of Health (MoH) rules & regulations.  Labs and other campus facilities are monitored 24/7 by the security and maintenance teams with CCTV cameras. Lab temperatures are adjusted appropriately in winter and summer to save energy. Lab equipment can be very energy intensive, particularly fume hoods and devices are used to maintain hot or cold environments. Labs and its equipment are monitored as per the international guidelines. We are committed to protect our environment by being up to date on less toxic chemical alternatives and implement sustainable chemical practices at our labs.

Some of the best practices we follow at our labs are:

• Liquid nitrogen conservation is an important energy efficiency measure because the production of LN2 is an energy-intensive Treating liquid nitrogen (LN2) cell storage containers like a freezer, minimizing the amount of time the door is open, decreases the amount of LN2 that boils off.

• Most frequently accessed samples are stored near the top of the rack so that they can be accessed without compromising the temperature stability of other samples on the rack, and without letting a lot of LN boil off.

• Freezer map and inventory are posted on the lid of the freezer and a logical storage system is maintained to minimize time with door open trying to find samples.

• Lid seals are checked on a regular basis to ensure that it shuts properly.

  
  

Sustainable Procurement

We source only from authorized agencies, dealers, or distributors of well-established brands in the market. All our suppliers are registered and approved by the local regulatory bodies.  Compliance with International quality standards such as ISO, CE, FDA etc. are taken into consideration during supplier/product selection.

Our best practices include:

• We substitute reusable products whenever it is possible. For disposable products, we consider products with reduced or recycled content packaging.

• We also encourage using end-of-life take-back programs, centralize chemical purchasing and keep our inventory up-to-date.

• We always verify energy efficient options with our vendors, while purchasing a new appliance. In case of absence of any such options, we encourage our vendors to supply more sustainable products at a competitive price.