2025

Molecular Rheumatology Green Lab Certification

Huge congrats to the Molecular Rheumatology Lab for receiving a 90% on their recent Green Labs certification! They made so many energy and cost- savings upgrades in their lab- here are a few of the key changes:

• Developed a new lab sustainability handbook which is included in new staff/student lab inductions
• New sustainability leaders appointed
• Recycle stations set up for ice packs, ice cartridges, toners, batteries and introduced green bin
• New lab signage for equipment to ensure they’re turned off or in standby where possible
• First in, first out process now for some lab consumables (person dedicated to highlighting reagents with approaching expiry dates)
• Developed email template for companies when excessive packaging is used – requesting that packaging is reduced or shipments are consolidated
• Only running autoclaves when at full capacity
• Sharing or recycling of lab equipment – they are giving a CO2 incubator to Biochemistry and Immunology that they were no longer using.

They have set up multiple bins on the 5th floor of TBSI where people can donate their plastic bottles and cans. These bottles/cans are part of the Deposit Return Scheme. The Tesco vouchers collected will be donated to the Capuchin Day Centre for the Homeless. If other labs want to get involved in this, you can contact Siobhan Wade.

As for the future of Rheumatology, they’re joining the Freezer Challenge in 2026 and also plan to introduce LabCup. Well done to all involved! If you want to get your lab involved, Trinity Sustainability still have funding for labs to undertake the certification process. Email Green Labs Officer Dumitru Anton DANTON@tcd.ie to get started.