Marine Institute Team Wins International Sustainability Award
The Biotoxin Chemistry team who work within the Marine Environment and Food Safety Services (MEFSS) section of the Marine Institute were recently awarded the highest level (Green) of My Green Lab (MGL) certification.
MGL is a non-profit organization and a globally recognized leader in the Green lab movement. The MGL program seeks to reduce the environmental impact of laboratories in four key areas – energy, water, waste, and chemical use – through a combination of organizational initiatives and behaviour change programs. By empowering scientists to make choices that not only benefit their work but also the environment and communities around them. Being a green certified lab has multiple benefits including; environmental protection, financial savings, enhancing the reputation and influence of an organization, promoting environmental awareness, innovation, and greater staff engagement.
The Biotoxin Chemistry team are the second laboratory within the Marine Institute to be awarded MGL certification, with the Newport facility also being certified earlier this year.
As part of the MGL certification process the Biotoxin Chemistry team enrolled in 2023 International Freezer Challenge and won the Top Small Lab Award (Government Sector). This year, 1,991 laboratories across 170 different research institutions, representing 27 countries took part in the challenge, resulting in an energy reduction of an estimated 20.7 million kWh over the past year.
The team (of 7 staff) made great efforts to incorporate a cold storage management plan involving clearing out and cleaning fridges and freezers. Their endeavors resulted in multiple units being taken out of use and an estimated energy reduction of 66.75 KWh/day (equivalent to the electricity consumption of 6 average Irish households).
Joe Silke, director of MEFSS, reaffirmed the Marine Institute’s commitment to sustainability: “The Biotoxin Chemistry team's dedication, exemplifies the Institutes commitment to environmental responsibility by their recent achievement of the highest level of My Green Lab certification. This not only showcases our commitment to reducing our laboratory's ecological footprint but also underscores the broader positive impacts that green lab initiatives can have on our working environment, finances, reputation, and staff engagement.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Sinéad Coyne, Marine Institute e. sinead.coyne@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 947 7090
Sheila Byrnes, Marine Institute e. sheila.byrnes@marine.ie m. +353 (0)87 815 5271
Notes to Editor:
Marine Institute
The Marine Institute provides government, public agencies, and the maritime industry with a range of scientific, advisory, and economic development services that inform policy-making, regulation, and the sustainable management and growth of Ireland’s marine resources. The Institute undertakes, coordinates, and promotes marine research and development, which is essential to achieving a sustainable ocean economy, protecting ecosystems, and inspiring a shared understanding of the ocean. www.marine.ie