My Green Lab Ambassador Program Reaches 2,000 Members!

We are proud to announce that the My Green Lab Ambassador program has hit a new milestone - 2,000 members have now completed the program! The program, free and available online, is designed for scientists and laboratory professionals who are motivated to encourage their lab to be more sustainable. The program serves as a crash course in lab sustainability with an emphasis on behavioral changes that promote greener laboratory operations. There are no prerequisites to becoming a My Green Lab Ambassador, and this program serves as a good first step for anyone who is interested in improving the sustainability of scientific research.

Not only does the My Green Lab Ambassador program provide tips and tricks to help members become more sustainable, but also includes access to the Ambassador community to further discussions, ask questions, and engage with like-minded individuals. Monthly virtual discussion meetings organized by My Green Lab are also available to all members. 

Becoming a My Green Lab Ambassador has helped over 2,000 members jumpstart their lab's journey into sustainability. We heard from a variety of Ambassadors about their experience with the program, along with some of the most interesting things they learned throughout the course. 
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Opening the Door to Lab Sustainability

"This is a fabulous program, all I learned from lab sustainability was thanks to this program!" says Julie Sesen, Boston Children's Hospital. After Julie completed the program, she helped her lab become certified through the My Green Lab Certification, and she started a green labs program at her institution. "Thanks to the Ambassador program, I met a lot of people around the world passionate like me about lab sustainability, and we can help each other to answer specific questions and find new ways to be more sustainable in our respective labs," says Sesen. 

"It was interesting to learn that it takes more than just recycling to make an impact on the environment when talking about lab sustainability. Also, just bringing awareness around this topic is a huge step forward," continues Sesen.

"Really easy to register, enlightening, and eye opening program," shares Nicolas Rousselet, Kallion. "The community is great and the questions asked force you to think about your own way of working." The most interesting thing Nicolas learned was the equivalency of energy consumption between a fume hoods and houses. "This was really eye opening and encourages you to take immediate action (especially nowadays with the current energy prices increase)."

"The opportunity to connect to other green-oriented people and share ideas has been great," says Nicole Calliou, referencing the access the program provides to a global network of Ambassadors. "The most interesting thing I learned was that the first step is garbage - you can't start until you know what you throw away!" she continues.

"My experience was great," says Marie Eddinger, Q2 Solutions. "The Ambassador program was easy enough for anyone to take, and gave great information on sustainability in the laboratories. It made me start to think of ways I could make sustainable changes in my lab." 

Jean-Nicolas Lodewyckx, Avantor, said that learning about the amount of energy consumption by equipment was "mind-blowing," but that the most interesting thing he learned was how to change his mentality. "I found several ideas to develop in my laboratory to reduce the environmental impact. It's also a mind opener to change the way of working and to look out for what more can I do?," he continues.  

Constance Fetter, CBRE, remarks that "The fresh perspective on opportunities for saving energy and finding sustainable solutions in facilities was excellent." 

Thank you to everyone who has joined the Ambassador program and continues to promote sustainability in the lab! 

Interested in joining the My Green Lab Ambassador program? Register here.