My Green Lab is thrilled to announce the launch of the Accelerator Partner Program, a new initiative designed to recognize and support sustainability consulting services and organizations within the health sector. Understanding the importance of industry collaboration for achieving climate targets and creating a resilient, net-zero world, the Accelerator Partner Program will provide participating organizations with the essential resources and recognition needed to advance their sustainability efforts. 

The program offers a variety of benefits for participating organizations to enhance their knowledge of green lab best practices while supporting clients in achieving their lab sustainability goals. Benefits include access to My Green Lab education and training programs, market endorsement from My Green Lab, certification program discounts, privileged access to My Green Lab’s training materials, and the right to use the Accelerator Partner designation as part of business development and outreach.

“The Accelerator Partner Program is a great resource for organizations seeking to solidify their commitment to lab sustainability,” said Ryan Arnold, VP of Investments and Partnerships at My Green Lab. “Our program not only equips organizations with invaluable resources to build their knowledge and skills, but it also grants industry recognition for their proficiency in green lab practices.”

Acknowledging their expertise in green lab principles, this initiative allows partners to offer consulting and implementation services that align with the My Green Lab Certification program and its recommendations. Recognized by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, My Green Lab Certification is globally recognized as the gold standard for sustainability best practices in laboratories.

“We’ve already seen tremendous value from being part of the Accelerator Partner Program,” said Dr. Samantha Gordine, Sustainability Solutions Lead at Arcondis. “Access to My Green Lab’s vast educational resources and their endorsement of our green lab expertise has enhanced our efforts in helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We have been able to help implement more effective green lab practices, leading to improved efficiencies, cost savings, and a stronger commitment to environmental stewardship across our client base."

The Accelerator Partner Program offers four levels of partnership to accommodate organizations of various sizes and budgets: Bronze (nonprofits and small organizations with fewer than five full-time employees), Silver (ideal for small or local organizations), Gold (suitable for national organizations), and Platinum (designed for global organizations. Initial Accelerator Partners include Arcondis and Triumvirate Environmental. 

My Green Lab believes this program will foster robust partnerships that will help move the health sector toward a greener, more sustainable future. “The Accelerator Partner Program will allow us to amplify our collective impact, drive significant improvements in lab sustainability, and expedite the transition to greener practices across the industry,” continues Arnold. 

My Green Lab is excited to announce an offer through which RSC members will receive a 10% discount on My Green Lab Certification.

My Green Lab Certification, recognized by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, is designed to provide scientists and laboratory teams with practical strategies to reduce environmental impact, enhance efficiency, and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Impact Laboratories, My Green Lab’s recently launched subsidiary, will provide third-party verification for its certification process.

James Connelly, My Green Lab’s CEO, stated, "Our certification aims to equip RSC members with tools to adopt sustainable practices in their laboratories, supporting a more sustainable future for scientific research."

Sarah Robertson, Commercial Ventures Lead at the RSC, said: "Standards, guidance and certification are important steps on the journey to creating more sustainable labs. This is a rapidly developing field and we are pleased to see many organisations contributing to it. We hope that the My Green Lab discount agreement will be valuable for our members who are considering lab accreditation as part of their sustainability journey.”

​In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific research, balancing groundbreaking discoveries with sustainable practices is critical, as labs are resource-intensive spaces with significant environmental impacts. Envision a world where every laboratory operates at peak efficiency, not just in its research but in its commitment to sustainability. Achieving this vision begins with one crucial element: education.
 
In the realm of lab sustainability, knowledge isn’t just power – it’s the engine that drives meaningful change. Educating professionals within the scientific sector about sustainability is essential because it empowers them to make informed decisions that reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower carbon footprints.
 
As the first program of its kind, the My Green Lab Accredited Professional (AP) Program offers the knowledge and know-how to bring sustainability best practices to life in the lab.
 
Comprehensive Lab Sustainability Education
 
“Knowing that inefficient laboratories can consume ten times more energy, produce significantly more single-use waste, and use four times more water than commercial buildings, it was obvious where to focus… but how?” asked Accredited Professional (AP) Tolga Berk, Senior Consultant at Waldner. “The AP program provided the perfect answer, offering a well-structured framework, clear guidance on what can be done, and content of available programs to support scientists on their journey to a sustainable future.”
 
The My Green Lab AP Program is a comprehensive course designed to deepen your understanding of various sustainable lab topics. The program covers six critical areas of lab sustainability, each explored in-depth through dedicated modules including Waste, Water, Energy, Procurement, Engagement, and Green Chemistry. Through an interactive virtual format, participants gain access to expert content developed by leading professionals in the field, emphasizing practical tools and takeaways.
 
Designed for scientists and people who support or work with laboratories, there are no prerequisites for becoming a My Green Lab AP. With nearly 150 My Green Lab APs (as of July 2024), the program fosters a global network of sustainability leaders dedicated to transforming laboratory operations and promoting a greener future.
 
From Waste Management to Financial Savings: Insights from My Green Lab Accredited Professionals
 
Implementing the knowledge learned from the My Green Lab AP program has led to cost savings, efficiency improvements, and more. Since implementing sustainable practices, “The biggest area of improvement has been managing our various waste streams, be it either reducing, reusing, or recycling,” shares Chris Underwood, Laboratory Technical Manager at Affinity Water. “Nitrile gloves, plastic bottles, pipette tips and boxes, food waste, and glass have all been looked at and substantial improvements made,” he continues.
 
The program has also helped drive substantial financial savings through enhanced energy efficiency. Tolga Berk highlighted the benefits of optimizing HVAC systems and reducing energy consumption, noting, "By working with labs aiming for My Green Lab certification or energy efficiency, we achieved up to 40% HVAC optimization and a 30% reduction in energy usage from infrastructure and plug loads. By converting lighting systems from fluorescent to LED, we saved approximately 75,000 EUR per building annually."
 
Building a culture of sustainability within the lab is crucial for maintaining long term progress, as emphasized throughout the program. Triumvirate Environmental’s EHS Consultant Kiersten Dinda highlighted the importance of fostering enthusiasm and creating a dedicated team: "Once you initiate engagement and involve individuals onsite, it enhances the work environment as others become motivated. By demonstrating the potential changes and long-term benefits to those individuals, their enthusiasm grows. While introducing changes can initially be challenging, establishing a core group of sustainability advocates onsite can possibly expedite the process of implementing change and keeping that motivation alive."
 
The Professional and Community Impact of the My Green Lab AP Program
 
The My Green Lab AP Program has had a profound impact on the professional development and community outreach efforts of many APs. Andy Cooley, Global Sustainability Lead at PerkinElmer, notes “Obtaining this accreditation is important for establishing myself as a credible sustainability professional. This external recognition enhances my professional profile and enables me to contribute effectively to the sustainable laboratory community.”
 
Chris Underwood elaborates, "More and more people want to work for a company that has sustainability credentials. I recently interviewed someone for a role that was attracted to the position because of the green credentials gained through the accredited professional and certification programs."
 
Additionally, the program has proven valuable for educational and outreach activities. Mary Sekiya, Chief Technical Officer and Laboratory Manager at University College Dublin, shared, "The accreditation has provided a wealth of information that I can draw on for presentations and outreach events. I was able to use information on energy consumption of low-temperature freezers in an interactive sustainability quiz I presented at a recent graduate student symposium."
 
Through education, practical guidance, and a focus on impactful action, the program continues to drive meaningful change in the lab environment.
 
A Program for All Professionals
 
Completing the My Green Lab AP Program not only equips you with a robust understanding of lab sustainability but also offers industry recognition that can be invaluable for career advancement. It demonstrates expertise and commitment to sustainable practices, enhancing professional credibility and positioning APs as leaders in the field of lab sustainability.
 
The AP program’s comprehensive approach to sustainability benefits a wide range of professionals, as emphasized by Tolga Berk: “After completing the program, I can easily say that the accreditation is not just designed for laboratories and their scientists. It is a comprehensive program that offers valuable insights for a wide range of professionals, including procurement managers, health and safety experts, facility managers, project managers, and even service providers like me.”

At My Green Lab, we understand the unique challenges laboratories face in their journey towards sustainability. One of our goals is to bridge the gap between ambitious sustainability goals and practical, achievable steps that labs can take. We offer a variety of programs designed to make labs greener, such as the My Green Lab Certification program, ACT Eco-Label for sustainable product evaluation, and the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge. These initiatives not only help labs reduce their environmental footprint, but also enhance efficiency and promote a culture of sustainability within the scientific community.

However, sustainability in laboratories isn't just about reducing waste or energy consumption; it’s about creating a holistic approach that integrates environmental responsibility into every aspect of laboratory operations. This includes everything from procurement of sustainable products, efficient energy use, waste minimization, and promoting a culture of sustainability among staff. By adopting comprehensive sustainability practices, labs can significantly reduce their environmental impact while often realizing cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Environmental partners can be key to achieving these goals. They bring specialized knowledge and practical solutions that can help labs implement and maintain effective sustainability practices. A competent and capable partner can provide critical support in navigating EHS regulations, optimizing resources, and ensuring efficiency in ongoing progress. In addition, partnerships foster innovation and creativity, enabling labs to tackle sustainability challenges with confidence—all while achieving meaningful results.
 
Why You May Need an Environmental Partner

Navigating the complex landscape of environmental regulations and sustainability best practices can be challenging. An environmental partner can provide the expert guidance to help ensure your lab stays compliant with the latest sustainability standards—as well as optimize resource use, meaning cost savings and reduced environmental impact. By offering specialized services such as waste management, environmental leadership, and consulting for such topics as energy efficiency solutions or best practice implementation, environmental partners can address the sustainability challenges unique to your laboratory and help you move forward in a knowledgeable and effective way.

Moreover, a trusted environmental partner will support sustainability initiative implementation, ensuring a smooth transition into new procedures and practical outcomes of these changes. Continuous improvement is another benefit of partnering for sustainability services; an environmental partner can help track progress and measure impact, spurring sustainability practice evolution and success over time.

Almost every facility requires some form of support in implementing sustainability initiatives—rarely can an organization operate completely independently in this venture. Be it with green waste disposal, environmental consulting, or sustainable committee leadership, there are almost always some major tasks that warrant sustainability services from a competent and experienced partner. Some signs that your organization may need help from an environmental partner are:
​

• Project teams are overloaded and busy
• The organization lacks a clear sustainability leader
• A sustainability leader is identified, but they can’t maintain internal sustainability support
• Sustainability metrics reporting is required
• There is an internal desire to analyze sustainability metrics
• Lofty corporate or operational sustainability goals require attention
• There is a desire to track and reduce energy use, waste consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—as well as associated costs
• Internal processes are not aligning with the broader organizational environmental position
• Utility costs need to be lowered
• Green sourcing and supply chain is desired
• There is interest in obtaining a sustainability certification such as My Green Lab Certification, whether by individual teams or as an organization overall

If one or more of these apply to you, it might be time to consider working with an experienced and dedicated environmental partner who can guide and support your sustainability journey.

EHS Partnering for Lab Sustainability

At My Green Lab, we provide the framework and tools necessary to help labs achieve their sustainability goals. Our My Green Lab Certification program sets the standard for best practices in lab sustainability, covering areas such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable purchasing. Labs that achieve this certification demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and leadership in the scientific community.

While our programs provide the framework and recognition for sustainable practices, an environmental partner can offer the on-the-ground support necessary for implementing these practices. EHS vendors like My Green Lab’s Accelerator Partner Triumvirate Environmental can support your lab's journey towards sustainability. With a deep-set commitment to sustainability and an expansive set of service offerings, including sustainable waste management, from upstream waste management to downstream recycling and other green disposal, Triumvirate Environmental has the know-how—and the onsite support—to help you succeed.

Whether you seek guidance on best practices, insights into broader organizational initiatives, leadership for your sustainability committee to drive innovation and success, or physical waste and onsite services, Triumvirate Environmental, with over 65 My Green Lab Ambassadors and more than 10 My Green Lab Accredited Professionals on their team, can serve as the catalyst to empower labs toward sustainable excellence.

Building a Sustainable Future Together

Regardless of what you need, a partnership with an experienced environmental services provider can help you fully achieve your sustainability goals. With a suite of trained consultants, national reach, and backed by a team of qualified and dedicated onsite support staff, Triumvirate Environmental is well-equipped to support your lab’s journey towards sustainability. As our Accelerator Partner, Triumvirate Environmental has everything you need to succeed in your My Green Lab Certification journey.
Our collaboration with Triumvirate Environmental underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustainability. By leveraging the strengths of both My Green Lab and an environmental partner, labs can achieve their sustainability goals more effectively and efficiently. Together, we can make a significant impact on the environmental footprint of the scientific community.
​

​My Green Lab and our newly launched commercial subsidiary, Impact Laboratories, are proud to announce the appointment of Jennifer Edson as Chief Financial Officer (CFO)! With a distinguished background in finance and internal operations, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience to the My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories executive team. As CFO, Jennifer will provide crucial early-stage financial and operational leadership to accelerate their shared mission of bringing sustainability to science. 
 
"Jennifer's depth of start-up finance expertise and proven executive leadership makes her an invaluable addition to our team," said James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. "Jennifer is one of the most respected start-up accounting leaders in the Pacific Northwest and her passion for developing scalable GAAP-compliant financial systems in a high-growth environment is the exact skill set we need to advance My Green Lab's and Impact Laboratories’ mission as we scale.”
 
Jennifer’s career spans over three decades, during which she has garnered accolades for her adept leadership and problem-solving skills. As the former CFO of Plunk, an AI-driven real estate analytics company, and COO at Denali Founder Consulting, Jennifer has demonstrated her ability to navigate complex financial landscapes for early-stage technology companies while providing strategic executive leadership that fosters growth and innovation.
 
"My Green Lab's dedication to innovation and sustainability resonates deeply with me,” said Jennifer. “The opportunity to merge my financial expertise with a commitment to environmental responsibility is both exciting and fulfilling. I am honored to join the team and help contribute to a more sustainable future within science.”
 
As CFO, Jennifer will play a pivotal role in overseeing financial strategies and operations, ensuring alignment with My Green Lab's and Impact Laboratories’ mission and programs and accurate reporting to investors and stakeholders.
 
“I am eager to collaborate with the talented team at My Green Lab that is already recognized as the global leader on sustainability in science. With $1.35 million in new equity funding received last month and at least another $1 million in the pipeline, we are poised for rapid growth,” added Jennifer. “Together, we can accelerate the transition to sustainable labs at a global scale."
 
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Iowa and is a licensed CPA in Washington State. Residing in the Pacific Northwest since 2007, she brings with her a deep appreciation for the environment and a commitment to promoting sustainable practices both personally and professionally.