The Marine Institute’s Long-Term Ecological Research Facility in Newport, Co Mayo has been awarded the highest level of the internationally recognised My Green Lab certification.
The Newport campus includes a laboratory and administration block, freshwater hatchery, fish-rearing facilities, fish census trapping stations and a fully monitored freshwater lake and river catchment.
This new certification reflects strong environmental performance across all of these operations, from laboratory work to field-based monitoring.
The facility has improved its sustainability performance over the last two years, progressing from Platinum certification in 2023 to Green level in 2025, following targeted enhancements in operational practices, policies and procedures, and increased staff engagement in sustainability initiatives.
The Marine Institute says this achievement demonstrates that sustainability gains are not limited to highly technical or chemistry-focused laboratories.
At a field-based research facility like Newport, improvements in energy efficiency, waste management, freezer management and water conservation all contribute to reducing environmental impact.
The accreditation also advances the institute’s stated aim to reduce resource use in all areas across the organisation, as outlined in its 2025 Climate Action Roadmap.
“This certification is a real testament to the collective effort and dedication of staff across the site,” said Toni Hollowell, facilities manager at the Marine Institute. “It shows how much progress can be made when sustainability is built into everyday decisions and operations, and I’m incredibly proud of the team’s commitment to continuous improvement.”
