How Synexa Achieved My Green Lab Certification: A Model for Sustainable Laboratories

Q: Achieving My Green Lab status is a significant accomplishment. Can you walk us through the journey your team took to reach this milestone?

Melanie: Our journey toward My Green Lab certification began with a shift in mindset—acknowledging that even small, everyday lab practices have environmental consequences. We conducted a baseline assessment of energy usage, waste handling, chemical management, and equipment practices, which helped us identify key areas for improvement. We also established a project coordinator and a Green Team—an internal task force comprised of passionate staff from various departments. The team championed change, engaged colleagues, and rolled out training initiatives. The certification process helped formalise our efforts and provided a framework to measure

Q: What were some of the key challenges you faced during the process of becoming My Green Lab certified, and how did you overcome them?

Melanie: To be honest, one of the major challenges was simply making time for sustainability in a fast-paced lab environment. With tight deadlines and operational demands, it’s easy to view sustainability as secondary. We overcame this by intentionally prioritising it—scheduling dedicated sessions, gaining leadership support, and integrating green practices into daily routines. I am especially grateful to our project coordinator and Green Team, whose dedication and drive kept us focused and made the journey both impactful and rewarding. This shift helped embed sustainability into both our culture and long-term planning.

Q: How has receiving My Green Lab status changed the way Synexa approaches sustainability, both within your laboratory operations and as part of your corporate culture?

Melanie: Achieving My Green Lab status has embedded sustainability deeper into our DNA. It’s no longer a side initiative; it’s the way in which we view decisions across our lab and business operations. In our labs, it has resulted in more thoughtful resource use, better waste segregation, and energy-conscious behaviours. It has also changed the way we think about procurement—in attempts to source suppliers and products that align with our environmental values. Furthermore, it has become a differentiator in how we position ourselves to clients and collaborators who prioritise environmental responsibility, making it a key aspect of our business approach.

Q: Could you share a few specific initiatives or changes you implemented that had the greatest impact on your sustainability efforts and helped you achieve My Green Lab status?

Melanie: Some of the most impactful initiatives included:

Equipment usage optimisation: We implemented the ‘shut-the-sash’ campaign for our fume hoods and replaced older equipment with energy-efficient models.

Energy optimisation: We scheduled shutdown protocols, where feasible, for incubators and other equipment when not in use.

Staff engagement: We shared targeted communications and introduced visual prompts in labs to reinforce environmentally conscious behaviours.

Waste reduction: We increased recycling streams throughout the facility, improving overall waste segregation.

These changes, while often small in isolation, added up to a meaningful shift in how we operate day-to-day.

Q: What advice would you offer to other organisations or labs looking to embark on their own sustainability journey or achieve My Green Lab certification?

Melanie: John C. Maxwell said, "The greatest gap in the world is the gap between knowing and doing." That perfectly sums up sustainability in the lab. Once a lab knows what it should be doing, turning that knowledge into consistent action is where the real impact begins. Start small but be intentional. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—begin by assessing where you are, identifying a few quick wins, and build momentum. Engage your team early and often; success comes when sustainability is seen as a shared responsibility. Leverage the My Green Lab tools and community. Their framework is practical, science-driven, and adaptable to labs of all sizes. Continuous improvement is key, and every step forward matters.