In Brief

  • Challenge: Plastics Challenge
  • Challenge Type: SFI Future Innovator Prize
  • Status: Complete
  • Phase: Prize Award winner

The Challenge

Every year, an estimated 5.5 million tonnes of single-use plastic products are disposed of by science laboratories world-wide. The Irish government has committed to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by the year 2030. Creating sustainable alternatives and approaches to single-use plastics usage is crucial to achieving this goal.  

The Solution

Develop sustainable laboratory-grade bioplastics, using currently untapped waste-streams from the Irish brewing and distilling industries. While providing viable alternatives to single-use plastics, we will develop a pathway to inspire the adoption of sustainable solutions in laboratories.  

UN SDG Alignment

Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

The Team

  • Team Lead: Dr Jennifer Gaughran, Dublin City University
  • Team Co-Lead: Dr Brian Freeland, Dublin City University

Societal Impact Champion

  • Dr Samantha Fahy, Dublin City University