Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title Award for Pioneering Green Labs in Ireland CÚRAM Degree of recognition International Media name/outlet International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) Media type Web Country/Territory United States Date 21/10/25 Description CÚRAM is the Irish language word for “care,” and it’s the name given to the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, headquartered in the University of Galway. CÚRAM has implemented and advocated for green lab practices extending beyond the institution to a national level. Beginning in January 2019, CÚRAM researchers implemented sustainable practices such as raising the temperature of freezers, adhering “Close the Sash” stickers to fume hoods, and explaining when lab equipment can be turned off. In 2020, Dr. Una FitzGerald developed a graduate course, Green Lab Principles and Practice, introducing students to topics such as the circular economy, green lab practices, and how to implement them. Over 170 students have taken the module, with some participating internationally through online streaming.
Along with other members of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Una established Irish Green Labs (IGL) in 2022. The IGL network, run entirely on volunteer time, promotes sustainable methods within public and private laboratories across Ireland. IGL supports over 37 organizations and has been critical in expanding and supporting the green lab movement in Ireland. Representing IGL, Una has given over 100 green lab talks sharing CÚRAM’s sustainability journey. In 2021, CÚRAM researchers collaborated in a CirculÉire-funded project to demonstrate that high-quality polypropylene biohazardous waste discarded from labs could be rendered safe and macerated, then remolded into 1-milliliter pipette tips. The tips performed as well as tips made from virgin polypropylene when tested using standard lab protocols.URL https://www.i2sl.org/past-sustainable-lab-awards Persons Una Fitzgerald