Aerogen’s R&D Science Laboratories are proud to have achieved the My Green Lab certification - an internationally recognised programme promoting sustainable laboratory practices. In response to increasing awareness around environmental impact, Aerogen made a strategic commitment to sustainability within its laboratory operations. Recognising the vital role that laboratories play in scientific innovation, the company sought to reduce its ecological footprint while maintaining the highest standards of research and development. This commitment drove the decision to invest in long-term improvements in the laboratories that would benefit both the organisation and the wider community.
Laboratories are traditionally resource-intensive, consuming up to 10 times more energy and up 4 times more water than standard office spaces. Recognising this challenge, Aerogen’s R&D Science team embarked on the My Green Lab certification process, a programme run by the non-profit organisation, My Green Lab. To date, My Green Lab has supported over 4,500 laboratories across 50 countries, fostering a global culture of sustainability. The programme is endorsed by UN-backed Race to Zero and recommended by the U.S. EPA. With this certification, Aerogen becomes one of 225 Irish laboratories to achieve this distinction.
The journey began with a
comprehensive baseline assessment across 14 key areas, including water usage,
plug load, and cold storage. The initial assessment yielded a score of 46%,
earning the team a Bronze certification. This acted as a valuable starting
point that highlighted key areas for growth. Guided by these insights, the team
implemented a series of impactful improvements over a six-month period:
- Conducted an in-depth waste audit to inform targeted reduction strategies
- Collaborated with an external health & safety consultant to optimise laboratory practices
- Launched a new inventory management system to reduce over-purchasing
- Expanded and optimised waste streams and providers
- Reduced energy consumption through plug load monitoring
- Minimised hazardous materials via risk assessments
Following these initiatives, Aerogen’s R&D laboratories were re-assessed and achieved an 81% score. This result, reflecting the team’s dedication to sustainable best practice adoption, earned Aerogen the Green Certificate – the highest certification level available. By integrating lessons learned from the My Green Lab journey into daily routines and future projects, Aerogen aims to set new benchmarks for sustainable research, inspire collaboration with industry partners, and contribute meaningfully to a global movement toward greener, more responsible science.
By integrating lessons learned from the My Green Lab journey into daily routines and future projects, Aerogen aims to set new benchmarks for sustainable research, inspire collaboration with industry partners, and contribute meaningfully to a global movement toward greener, more responsible science.
