#UnderTheScope: Revolutionising Sustainability in Science with My Green Lab

Welcome to the first issue of Under the Scope, Gilbert Meher Science's monthly newsletter designed to bring communities together in Science.

In this issue, we will discuss an important topic that has gained significant attention in recent years - #sustainability. Alice Burnham sat down with Raj Patey to explore My Green Lab's innovative initiatives to foster eco-conscious practices and reduce carbon footprints in the scientific community.

#Sustainability: a topic that has often remained at the bottom of companies’ priority lists, seems to now be at the forefront of many people’s agendas. The importance of reducing waste and our carbon footprint is a growing aim of many; the battle to tackle climate change and the destruction of our planet becomes more crucial by the day. We are all trying to become more socially aware, and with many households looking to actively reduce their own waste through recycling and favouring conscious ‘greener’ choices, the pressure for industries to follow suit is building. Large supermarkets are reducing packaging and fashion retailers are opting for sustainable fabric choices: it is time for us all to evaluate our own choices.  

A study found that, astonishingly, the carbon footprint of the global #biotechnology and #pharmaceutical industry was larger than that of the semiconductor industry, the forestry and paper industry, and was equal to almost half the annual emissions of the United Kingdom. So, the question arises: what can be done? 

My Green Lab., are a non-profit organisation that operate globally. With their workforce expected to double by the end of the year, the demand for their services is expected to grow. The company is on a mission to, ‘build a global culture of sustainability in science’. They are the world leaders in developing internationally recognised sustainability standards for #laboratories and laboratory products, bringing sustainability to the community responsible for the world’s life-changing medical and technical innovations. By introducing a new perspective and proven best practices within a carefully crafted framework, My Green Lab has inspired tens of thousands of scientists to make a positive change in their labs by reducing the environmental impact of their work.

"We want sustainability to influence how you design your next experiment or the next product you are going to make for your customers. We currently work with 23 of the top 25 biotech and pharma companies globally to support them with implementing change. We are constantly reaching for the highest standards of sustainability without compromising on the quality, safety and performance of the products, equipment, and methods." - Raj Patey  

Raj spoke with us about one of My Green Lab’s key initiatives, the ACT Environmental Impact Factor programme. The world’s premier eco-label for laboratory products, the ACT label enquires Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency in reporting environmental impact data to enable sustainable laboratory procurement. In this programme, laboratory products are measured for their environmental impact and sustainability in a standardised approach. This is verified by a third party and disclosed on an ACT Environmental Impact Factor Label published by My Green Lab and displayed on said product, company websites and wider locations. By providing needed transparency around manufacturing, energy and water use, packaging, and end-of-life impacts, ACT makes it easy to choose environmentally preferable products and to reduce the carbon impact of laboratory supply chains.

Raj Patey explains the concept behind their labelling system:

"Think of when you see labels on your food: green is good, and red is bad. Our labels apply this approach to the lab world. We can label our consumables, reagents, and equipment with indicators to show the environmental impact of using that product. These labels enable you to understand the product's life cycle, allowing you to make more informed decisions in favour of products with the lowest environment impact." - Raj Patey 

Raj emphasizes the value of sustainability agendas and the numerous benefits of eco-friendly practices:

• Reduced environmental impact: Companies can lower their carbon footprint by making more sustainable choices in their operations and products.
• Cost savings: Sustainable practices often lead to reduced waste and more efficient use of resources, resulting in cost savings for businesses.
• Enhanced reputation: Companies that prioritize sustainability are viewed more favourably by eco-conscious customers and future employees.
• Competitive advantage: Embracing sustainability can set a business apart from competitors.
• Long-term resilience: Sustainable businesses are better positioned to adapt to changing regulations and market demands related to environmental and social policies.

"We have seen great outcomes for our clients, and the reduction of their environmental impact demonstrates that increased investment in sustainability not only reduces companies’ carbon footprint but also leads to cost savings. Our partners have told us how important sustainability agendas and action plans are for their company: their consumers but also their future employees are fast becoming more conscious of their own carbon footprint. With this in mind, customers and employees alike are likely to choose businesses that also prioritise sustainability." - Raj Patey 

To summarise, My Green Lab has already seen significant uptake of their ACT Eco-Label programme by the biggest suppliers in the lab industry. The programme allows them to communicate transparently with lab supply purchasers in Biotech, Pharma, Academia, Healthcare, and wider on their product level sustainability, providing clear, third-party verified information about the sustainability profile of laboratory products. By highlighting the environmental impact of each stage of a product’s life cycle, manufacturers have been driven to evaluate their methods and look to make improvements to help reduce their carbon footprint. 

Remember, this is just one of many sustainability initiatives My Green Lab offer from their entire sustainability programs suite; the ACT Eco-label programme is just the tip of the iceberg. Hearing first-hand from Raj Patey about the success My Green Lab are having in improving sustainability in the industry, assures that improvements are being made, one green step at a time.  

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