Purchasing – My Green Lab – Education https://mygreenlab.org Creating a culture of sustainability through science Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:00:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://mygreenlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/my-green-lab-favicon-100x100.png Purchasing – My Green Lab – Education https://mygreenlab.org 32 32 The Cost of Greenwashing: Why Verified Transparency Is Your Best Investment https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/the-cost-of-greenwashing-why-verified-transparency-is-your-best-investment/ Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:09:39 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=40255

Greenwashing isn’t just bad for the planet; it has become a major financial and reputational threat. In today’s climate-conscious economy, companies are facing increasing, and often warranted, scrutiny from regulators, consumers, and investors. Misleading or exaggerated environmental claims are no longer seen as simple marketing missteps but are now treated as legal violations that can result in multimillion-dollar fines and permanent damage to brand credibility. As regulations tighten and public expectations grow, the true cost of unsubstantiated green claims is mounting in both courtrooms, boardrooms, and the bottom lines.

Transparency in sustainability efforts is becoming increasingly vital as the consequences of greenwashing continue to escalate. In response, organizations are turning to third-party verification to strengthen the credibility of their environmental claims. Programs like My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel support this movement by providing structured, science-based frameworks for assessing and improving sustainability performance.

What Is Greenwashing and Why Is It Risky?

Greenwashing refers to the practice of misleading consumers or stakeholders about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or organization. Whether it involves overstating the recyclability of packaging or promoting unverified emissions reductions, the goal is often to appear more sustainable than the facts support.

This type of messaging undermines both scientific integrity and consumer trust. Today, the public expects more than vague green language. People want real, measurable action from the brands and institutions they support.

As market pressure grows to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, some organizations may overstate progress in an attempt to stay competitive. What might once have been dismissed as optimistic marketing is now being treated by regulators as a serious violation of consumer protection laws. The consequences can include significant financial penalties and long-term damage to credibility.

The Real-World Cost of Waiting: High-Profile Enforcement Examples

Recent enforcement cases highlight the real risks for companies across industries as greenwashing becomes much more than a hypothetical concern.

In Germany, Deutsche Bank’s investment arm, DWS, was fined $27 million in 2025 for overstating its ESG credentials. Regulators determined that the company’s claims did not reflect its actual practices. This case is a clear example of how even large, well-resourced institutions are not immune from accountability.

Another example of consequences related to greenwashing involves Coca-Cola, which agreed to revise bottle labels after the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) raised concerns about potentially misleading language. Phrases such as “100% recycled” and “recyclable” were challenged as unclear or inaccurate. Even though this case did not result in financial penalties, it underscores how public and legal scrutiny is growing around environmental messaging. For brands, it’s a reminder that misleading claims, even if well-intentioned, can damage trust and require costly rebranding or legal defense.

Clorox Australia was fined AUD $8.25 million for making false environmental claims about its GLAD-branded kitchen products. The company advertised its bin liners as being made from “50% ocean plastic,” when in reality, the plastic had been collected from inland areas near waterways, not the ocean. This marked one of the most significant penalties for greenwashing in the country and reinforced the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) focus on environmental marketing compliance.

The pattern is clear: the cost of unsubstantiated or misleading environmental claims is rising rapidly, while the cost of third-party verification represents a fraction of potential penalties.

Regulatory Landscape: The Tide Is Turning

As these examples demonstrate, governments around the world are introducing stricter oversight of environmental claims. In Canada, significant amendments to the Competition Act took effect in June 2024, explicitly targeting greenwashing by requiring companies to substantiate environmental claims with “adequate and proper” testing or “internationally recognized methodology,” shifting the burden of proof onto advertisers. The Competition Bureau has since issued comprehensive guidelines clarifying expectations under these new provisions.

France has also strengthened its regulatory position. The Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law (Loi AGEC) prohibits misleading sustainability claims, bans vague terms like “biodegradable” on packaging, and promotes transparency through mandatory product labeling.

Brazil also addresses greenwashing through its Consumer Protection Code, which prohibits misleading advertising, while self-regulatory oversight by the National Council for Self-Regulation in Advertising (CONAR) enforces penalties and removal of environmentally misleading ads.

These changes reflect a growing global trend of legal frameworks evolving to demand greater accountability and accuracy. Companies everywhere are being put on notice that sustainability messaging must be backed by verifiable evidence.

The Hidden Cost of Inaction: Reputational Risk

Regulatory fines are costly, but reputational damage from greenwashing can be even more significant. Research published in Emerald Insight shows that greenwashing damages consumer trust and corporate reputation, ultimately affecting customer loyalty, investor confidence, and employee retention. Once public trust is lost, it can take years, and substantial investment, to rebuild.

Calculating the ROI of Sustainability

While some companies may hesitate to invest in verified sustainability, the return on investment is clear, especially when compared to the exponentially higher risk of doing nothing.

Consider the math: the average regulatory fine for greenwashing violations is 4% of global revenue, and in some cases, up to 10%, in addition to the potential loss of consumer trust, investor hesitation, and long-term brand damage.

In contrast, growing evidence highlights how companies that invest in sustainability often see improved operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and access to capital, as recently discussed in The Wall Street Journal and the Harvard Business Review. Additionally, NYU’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business offers the ROSI™ (Return on Sustainability Investment) framework, which links sustainability strategies to measurable financial performance by mapping intangible benefits, like innovation, employee engagement, and customer loyalty, to economic outcomes.

Other estimates highlight the macroeconomic cost of inaction: according to Sphera, climate inaction could result in an 18% loss of global GDP by 2050. On the company level, sustainability investments consistently outperform over time. These returns are realized not only in energy, water, and cost savings, but in increased resilience, stronger stakeholder relationships, and higher employee retention.
In today’s climate, the cost of doing nothing may be the most expensive decision of all.

Transparency Is a Smart Investment

The return on investment from a verified sustainability program often pays for itself within the first year through operational improvements alone:

Through My Green Lab Certification, AstraZeneca reduced energy use by more than 1.2 million kilowatt-hours, cut 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, and is saving over $300,000 annually.
At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, labs saved an average of 35,000 kilowatt-hours per year, cutting over 34,000 kg of waste, the equivalent of powering 75 U.S. homes.

In Germany, the Technical University of Berlin lowered its energy use by 35% and saved nearly €15,000 each year, delivering a 30x ROI.

These results demonstrate that sustainability is not just good for the planet, it’s a practical and profitable strategy that quickly justifies its initial investment.

Here’s how third-party verification directly eliminates regulatory risk: My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel provide the science backing and transparency that regulators now demand. Instead of making claims you can’t substantiate, these programs give you verifiable data and credible credentials that protect you against legal challenges. When regulators ask for proof, you have it. When competitors make questionable claims, your third-party verifications set you apart. Both programs are recommended by credible institutions like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and offer assurance to organizations and protection against misleading claims.

Building a Culture of Verified Impact

For organizations concerned about upfront costs, the critical question isn’t whether you can afford third-party verification, it’s whether you can afford not to invest in it. What’s the cost of inaction? As the above examples illustrate, it can be substantial. The financial and reputational costs of misleading environmental claims far exceed the investment in credible sustainability programs.

A credible sustainability strategy protects against fines, supports stakeholder trust, and drives measurable improvements in efficiency. Most importantly, verified programs typically generate cost savings that offset initial investments within months, not years. A transparent sustainability strategy isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a smart business move.

By embracing verified programs like My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel, businesses can lead with integrity and show that their sustainability claims are more than just words. They are actions that deliver measurable results and financial returns.

The Path Forward

The financial, legal, and reputational costs of greenwashing are growing. Fortunately, they are entirely avoidable. Companies that invest in credible sustainability practices will be better positioned to navigate tightening regulations and increasing public scrutiny, while also saving money in the process.
The choice is increasingly clear: invest now in verified transparency with strategies that provide the structure, guidance, and credibility you need or risk paying far more down the road.

Ready to explore how verified sustainability can protect your reputation while improving your bottom line? Visit the links below to learn how My Green Lab can support your sustainability goals:

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PSCI Endorses Converge Supplier Initiative to Cut Scope 3 Emissions in Pharma https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/psci-endorses-converge-supplier-initiative-to-cut-scope-3-emissions-in-pharma/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 18:24:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=38282

My Green Lab is proud to announce that our Converge Supplier Initiative has been endorsed by the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI). This endorsement from PSCI—the leading membership association for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies united to deliver responsible value chains—underscores growing momentum across the pharmaceutical industry to reduce supply chain (Scope 3) emissions and foster more sustainable lab operations.

The Converge Supplier Initiative is a unique industry collaboration designed to support pharmaceutical suppliers—including Contract Research Organizations (CROs), Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), and Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs)—in achieving My Green Lab® Certification. This certification framework enables suppliers to reduce environmental impact, cut energy and water use, lower costs, and align lab operations with corporate sustainability goals.

Leading pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, MilliporeSigma, Takeda, and UCB, have not only walked the talk by implementing My Green Lab Certification in their own labs to drive down emissions, but also have joined forces to educate and empower their outsourced research partners through the Converge Supplier Initiative. To date, over 147 supplier organizations have joined the initiative, with 32 already completing pilot certifications.

“The research supply chain represents a significant portion of the pharmaceutical industry’s environmental footprint,” said James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “This endorsement by PSCI reinforces the power of collaborative action and positions the Converge Supplier Initiative as a proven, scalable solution for driving impact reduction on the ground in the labs across the industry.”

PSCI unites pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to advance responsible supply chain practices and drive improved safety, environmental, and social outcomes across the global value chain. Together, PSCI and My Green Lab are aligned in their vision for a more sustainable and collaborative future in science.

“Bristol Myers Squibb is excited to see two important relationships come together with PSCI and Converge. With Converge providing a hands-on, practical approach for suppliers with lab operations to address their footprint through My Green Lab Certification, it dovetails well with PSCI’s drive to see the adoption of sustainable practices in pharmaceutical supply chains. This partnership can accelerate the critical need for pharmaceutical supply chains to reduce their footprint while continuing their missions of delivering for patients,” said Devin Carsdale, Associate Director of Sustainability at Bristol Myers Squibb and PSCI Decarbonization Team Co-Lead.

“We proudly operate 17 labs globally, all of which have achieved My Green Lab Certification,” said Bill Sterling, Senior Director of Global Environmental Health and Safety, IQVIA Laboratories. “The My Green Lab program has been instrumental in fostering a culture of sustainability and engaging employees at all sites. It helps support our mission to accelerate innovation for a healthier world and features prominently in our annual sustainability report.”

PSCI’s endorsement also supports the broader United Nations-backed Race to Zero campaign, which calls for 95% of participating organizations’ laboratories globally to achieve My Green Lab Certification at the highest ‘Green’ Level by 2030, a critical milestone in the path of net-zero emissions in science.

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Introducing ACT Ecolabel 2.0: Setting the global standard for sustainable laboratory products https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/introducing-act-ecolabel-2-0-setting-the-global-standard-for-sustainable-laboratory-products/ Tue, 06 May 2025 18:10:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=38274

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the ACT Ecolabel 2.0 program, an enhanced version of the only third-party verified ecolabel for laboratory products! Designed to advance AccountabilityConsistency, and Transparency for the scientific industry, ACT Ecolabel 2.0 offers product-level data to support sustainability-driven purchasing decisions. Building on years of collaboration with scientists, manufacturers, procurement professionals, and sustainability experts, ACT Ecolabel 2.0 delivers a rigorous, standardized framework for assessing and communicating the environmental impact of laboratory products.

ACT Ecolabel 2.0 represents the collective expertise behind the program and reflects our deep commitment to advancing sustainability in science through credible, actionable data.  The enhanced program is transforming how the scientific community approaches sustainability in the lab supply chain, through embedding impact reductions into purchasing decisions, product development, and long-term corporate strategies.

James Connelly

As sustainability becomes a critical priority for laboratory operations, procurement representatives, and product manufacturers, the ACT Ecolabel delivers a unified framework that supports better decision-making across the supply chain. It enables manufacturers to credibly showcase sustainability performance and empowers procurement teams to make informed, sustainability-aligned purchasing decisions with confidence.

The My Green Lab ACT Ecolabel 2.0 aligns with AstraZeneca’s corporate sustainability goals, while providing a consistent benchmark to evaluate products for purchasing decision making. Participation from manufacturers will strengthen their response for sustainability requests, and a consistent third-party verified industry standard will spur innovation and drive supply chain impact reductions.

Jen Valsler

The market has responded enthusiastically: 26 leading manufacturers have already committed to ACT Ecolabel 2.0 certification of their products, joining the 46 already participating, signaling the growing importance of a trusted standard like ACT Ecolabel for environmental accountability in life sciences.

The upgraded ACT Ecolabel program introduces a range of enhancements, including:

  • Impact-focused, science-based, standardized scoring: The refined 100-point weighting system places greater emphasis on the most environmentally significant attributes and ensures clear, consistent comparisons across all types of lab products.
  • Clearer communication and visuals: Reimagined label improves readability and usability by communicating key sustainability attributes clearly and directly.
  • Product carbon footprint reporting: ACT now includes company and product-level CO₂e data to support Scope 3 emissions tracking and sustainable procurement requirements.
  • Global alignment: ACT is recommended by the U.S. EPA and aligned with global regulations on green claims, supporting international sales and procurement strategies across the globe.

The ACT Ecolabel offers meaningful benefits to both manufacturers and procurement teams to support sustainable product development and smarter purchasing decisions.

  • For procurement professionals, the ACT Ecolabel streamlines decision-making by enabling direct product comparisons across suppliers while mitigating greenwashing risks.
  • Manufacturers who adopt the ACT Ecolabel gain competitive advantages through RFQ eligibility, deeper engagement with sustainability-minded customers, and the ability to demonstrate measurable progress through a trusted ecolabel.

With more than 1,700 certified products from over 60 participating manufacturers in the ACT Ecolabel database, the program has become a central resource for the growing global community focused on sustainability in laboratory operations.

Explore the new program

ACT Ecolabel

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Sustainability in ACTion: How KNAUER Achieved the My Green Lab ACT Ecolabel https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/sustainability-in-action-how-knauer-achieved-the-my-green-lab-act-ecolabel/ Wed, 01 Jan 2025 23:35:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=38239

Scientists and procurement specialists are placing greater emphasis on environmentally responsible purchasing decisions, and manufacturers are stepping up to meet the demand. For KNAUER, sustainability is not a new trend–it’s a tenet of the organization that is built into its processes and products. This commitment has earned KNAUER’s HPLC systems the lowest Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) score in the My Green Lab® ACT® Ecolabel database (as of January 2025).

The ACT Ecolabel provides third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products, helping drive smarter and more sustainable purchasing. It enables manufacturers to demonstrate Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) by evaluating materials, manufacturing process, recyclability, energy and water consumption, durability, and manufacturing location. With over 2,000 products currently listed, the ACT database helps labs and procurement specialists make informed, sustainability-aligned choices while motivating manufacturers to enhance their products’ environmental performance.

Laying the foundation: KNAUER’s sustainability goals

KNAUER’s journey toward achieving ACT certification began with a strong foundation in sustainability practices. “We are proud to be part of the UN Global Compact and to have ISO 14001:2015 certification,” said Clemens Buncher, Senior Quality & Environmental Manager. “Our Quality Assurance (QA) department, which I am a part of, also handles certification and reporting activities for sustainability and quality. The ACT Ecolabel perfectly fit into the scope of our activities and provided opportunities for improvement.”

When KNAUER decided to pursue the ACT Ecolabel, their goal was to validate and enhance their sustainability efforts while gaining deeper insights into the environmental impact of their products. Soheil Shayesteh, Head of Service and Support, emphasized KNAUER’s commitment to longevity and customer satisfaction: “I see it as the responsibility of manufacturers to develop and produce clean and long-lasting products. This means minimizing the negative effect on the environment while at the same time providing the customer with excellent products.”

“Our aim was to enhance our offerings and confirm that our efforts lead to positive outcomes,” said Buncher. “With the ACT program, we were able to achieve all of these goals for our HPLC systems. My Green Lab provided us with a standardized system to evaluate the sustainability of our products and verify the results to enhance customer trust.”

Navigating the certification process

The auditing process assessed key EIF categories, including materials, manufacturing, packaging, user impact, and end-of-life. Developed with input from industry experts and external stakeholders, these criteria were independently audited by My Green Lab’s collaborator SMS Collaborative, LLC (SMSC). Ultimately, this comprehensive assessment determined the information and EIF score shown on KNAUER’s ACT Ecolabel.

KNAUER’s HPLC systems received the lowest EIF score currently in the ACT database. Throughout their journey to achieve the ACT Ecolabel, KNAUER worked closely with My Green Lab to assess the environmental impact of their HPLC systems, appointing an internal project manager from their QA department to lead the effort.

“Resources from other departments were made available upon request and within reason to support and ensure the progress of the project. New test equipment was made available and our evaluation team in the lab was also involved,” shared Buncher. Collaboration across teams was vital to meeting the rigorous certification criteria. “The longevity and reparability of our products greatly contributed to our score,” noted Buncher. “We were also happy with the measured power consumption of the systems.”

The certification highlighted areas for improvement, as Buncher explained: “The energy consumption of KNAUER products has received more attention through the certification process. The weight of individual components was also highlighted, strengthening our efforts to reduce this in future developments.” He added, “This point is now included in the standard requirement specification for KNAUER products.”

“To see the final results was a very special moment for us,” said Dr. Christian Benkhäuser, Head of Research & Development. “It showed us that we are doing the right things, and it helps us to go this path even further and improve.”

act ecolabel my green lab

Sustainability as a catalyst for innovation

The ACT Ecolabel’s in-depth evaluation not only validated KNAUER’s sustainability efforts but also spurred further innovation. “In the past, we didn’t focus on using recycled materials,” said Dr. Benkhäuser. “During the ACT certification process, this was a topic that came up, and we started to evaluate possibilities to exchange materials to the recycled versions.”

Dr. Benkhäuser also noted several environmental topics that are now in their development process as a result of the ACT Ecolabel: “Can we use other/less material? How can we make the product more efficient (less material, less energy needed)? How can the device be serviced? That’s maybe the most important point for us: Every device can be serviced very easily, we try to keep the assembly groups small, so that just a few materials are needed to repair.”

Buncher elaborates: “The certification process established a new standard for orientating our product development and management processes, while also reminding us of the importance of sustainability in our product decisions.”

Empowering customers through transparency

The ACT Ecolabel simplifies complex environmental data, empowering laboratories to make informed and sustainable purchasing decisions that align with their environmental goals. “The ACT Ecolabel helps to bring companies and customers with the same philosophy together,” said Dr. Benkhäuser. “It is nice to make it easier for customers to find products that match their sustainability philosophy.”

One of the main goals of the ACT program is to provide laboratories with a database of third-party verified products, simplifying the process of choosing more sustainable products. “The program allows us to quantify our efforts and enables our customers to check our products for sustainability in comparison with competitors. Our sustainable programs and projects which lead to more sustainable products are made more visible,” said Buncher.

scientists in white lab coats laughing together

Leading the way: a model for sustainability

The ACT Ecolabel enables KNAUER to align its sustainability goals with broader industry benchmarks. “KNAUER wants to provide long-lasting products and service them for as long as possible,” said Shayesteh. “The certification fits into achieving this goal, as it is important to get an external view and to compare with other manufacturers,”

KNAUER’s packaging further supports sustainability, with 80% recycled materials and take-back programs in the US, EU, and UK. These efforts, paired with energy-efficient production and life cycle assessments, demonstrate KNAUER’s dedication to minimizing environmental impact.

Raj Patey, My Green Lab’s Business Development Director, highlighted KNAUER’s industry leadership: “Their exceptional EIF score sets a benchmark for the industry. We’re proud to support KNAUER in this journey toward greater accountability and transparency in lab product sustainability.”

KNAUER’s commitment to sustainability showcases how manufacturers can lead the way in responsible product development, setting a standard for others in the industry to follow. Through continuous improvement and innovation, they are helping shape a greener future for laboratory science.

“There is a lot to think about and to take into account when developing, producing, and maintaining sustainable products,” said Kate Monks, Head of Quality and Regulatory. “We’re proud of our ACT Ecolabel and the excellent score we got for the HPLC systems.”


Want to learn more or adopt the ACT program? Browse our website or reach out to us at businessdevelopment@impactlaboratories.com.

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EPA Recommends My Green Lab Certification and ACT Ecolabel, Setting the Standard for Sustainable Science https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/epa-recommends-my-green-lab-certification-and-act-ecolabel-setting-the-standard-for-sustainable-science/ Mon, 09 Dec 2024 18:20:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=37762

This recommendation reinforces the integrity and transparency of My Green Lab’s standard development process, and the high-quality and rigor of our certification and ecolabel programs.

We are thrilled to announce the recommendation of both My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel Program into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program! This mark of distinction from EPA highlights the credibility of our programs and their alignment with international best practices.

EPA’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels help federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services. Federal purchasers are directed in Executive Order 14057 on Catalyzing American Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability, the Federal Sustainability Plan, and subpart 23.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to procure products and services meeting the Recommendations to meet net-zero emissions and other procurement goals. Alignment with federal sustainability goals demonstrates that My Green Lab Certification and the ACT Ecolabel Program meet the highest international standards, driving meaningful progress toward reducing the environmental impact of scientific research.

“EPA’s recommendation is a powerful validation of our work at My Green Lab,” said James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “This distinction affirms the integrity of our programs and their critical role in reducing the environmental impact of laboratories and laboratory products. With EPA’s support, we are one step closer to making green labs the global standard.”

Driving Global Momentum of Green Labs

This independent review by one of the world’s most recognized environmental authorities affirms that both My Green Lab’s standard development process and criteria adhere to best practices for environmental certifications.

My Green Lab Certification is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world. Supported by third-party verification from Impact Laboratories, My Green Lab Certification has engaged 3,450 labs in 50 countries reaching over 41,000 scientists. 

The ACT Ecolabel provides transparent, third-party verified data about the environmental impact of laboratory products. By offering clear information on product sustainability, the ACT Ecolabel empowers procurement teams and scientists to make informed, sustainable choices. The ACT Ecolabel database includes 3,400 labels from 40 manufacturers.

This recommendation from EPA not only reinforces the value of our programs but also reflects the growing global momentum toward sustainable practices in scientific research. As the demand for environmental best practices in laboratories continues to rise, My Green Lab is committed to driving sustainability worldwide.

Learn more about My Green Lab Certification

Certification

The Next Generation of Certification for Lab Sustainability

My Green Lab Certification

Learn more about the ACT Ecolabel and view the database

ACT ecolabel

The Only Third-Party Verified Ecolabel for Lab Products

ACT Ecolabel
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Bridging Education and Action for Greener Labs: The Accredited Professional Program https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/bridging-education-and-action-for-greener-labs-the-accredited-professional-program/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:45:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=37503

In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific research, balancing groundbreaking discoveries with sustainable practices is critical, as labs are resource-intensive spaces with significant environmental impacts. Envision a world where every laboratory operates at peak efficiency, not just in its research but in its commitment to sustainability. Achieving this vision begins with one crucial element: education.

In the realm of lab sustainability, knowledge isn’t just power – it’s the engine that drives meaningful change. Educating professionals within the scientific sector about sustainability is essential because it empowers them to make informed decisions that reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower carbon footprints.

As the first program of its kind, the My Green Lab Accredited Professional (AP) Program offers the knowledge and know-how to bring sustainability best practices to life in the lab.

Comprehensive Lab Sustainability Education

“Knowing that inefficient laboratories can consume ten times more energy, produce significantly more single-use waste, and use four times more water than commercial buildings, it was obvious where to focus… but how?” asked Accredited Professional (AP) Tolga Berk, Senior Consultant at Waldner. “The AP program provided the perfect answer, offering a well-structured framework, clear guidance on what can be done, and content of available programs to support scientists on their journey to a sustainable future.”

The My Green Lab AP Program is a comprehensive course designed to deepen your understanding of various sustainable lab topics. The program covers six critical areas of lab sustainability, each explored in-depth through dedicated modules including WasteWaterEnergyProcurementEngagement, and Green Chemistry. Through an interactive virtual format, participants gain access to expert content developed by leading professionals in the field, emphasizing practical tools and takeaways.

Designed for scientists and people who support or work with laboratories, there are no prerequisites for becoming a My Green Lab AP. With nearly 150 My Green Lab APs (as of July 2024), the program fosters a global network of sustainability leaders dedicated to transforming laboratory operations and promoting a greener future.

From Waste Management to Financial Savings: Insights from My Green Lab Accredited Professionals

Implementing the knowledge learned from the My Green Lab AP program has led to cost savings, efficiency improvements, and more. Since implementing sustainable practices, “The biggest area of improvement has been managing our various waste streams, be it either reducing, reusing, or recycling,” shares Chris Underwood, Laboratory Technical Manager at Affinity Water. “Nitrile gloves, plastic bottles, pipette tips and boxes, food waste, and glass have all been looked at and substantial improvements made,” he continues.

The program has also helped drive substantial financial savings through enhanced energy efficiency. Tolga Berk highlighted the benefits of optimizing HVAC systems and reducing energy consumption, noting, “By working with labs aiming for My Green Lab certification or energy efficiency, we achieved up to 40% HVAC optimization and a 30% reduction in energy usage from infrastructure and plug loads. By converting lighting systems from fluorescent to LED, we saved approximately 75,000 EUR per building annually.”

Building a culture of sustainability within the lab is crucial for maintaining long term progress, as emphasized throughout the program. Triumvirate Environmental’s EHS Consultant Kiersten Dinda highlighted the importance of fostering enthusiasm and creating a dedicated team: “Once you initiate engagement and involve individuals onsite, it enhances the work environment as others become motivated. By demonstrating the potential changes and long-term benefits to those individuals, their enthusiasm grows. While introducing changes can initially be challenging, establishing a core group of sustainability advocates onsite can possibly expedite the process of implementing change and keeping that motivation alive.”

The Professional and Community Impact of the My Green Lab AP Program

The My Green Lab AP Program has had a profound impact on the professional development and community outreach efforts of many APs. Andy Cooley, Global Sustainability Lead at PerkinElmer, notes “Obtaining this accreditation is important for establishing myself as a credible sustainability professional. This external recognition enhances my professional profile and enables me to contribute effectively to the sustainable laboratory community.”

Chris Underwood elaborates, “More and more people want to work for a company that has sustainability credentials. I recently interviewed someone for a role that was attracted to the position because of the green credentials gained through the accredited professional and certification programs.”

Additionally, the program has proven valuable for educational and outreach activities. Mary Sekiya, Chief Technical Officer and Laboratory Manager at University College Dublin, shared, “The accreditation has provided a wealth of information that I can draw on for presentations and outreach events. I was able to use information on energy consumption of low-temperature freezers in an interactive sustainability quiz I presented at a recent graduate student symposium.”

Through education, practical guidance, and a focus on impactful action, the program continues to drive meaningful change in the lab environment.

A Program for All Professionals

Completing the My Green Lab AP Program not only equips you with a robust understanding of lab sustainability but also offers industry recognition that can be invaluable for career advancement. It demonstrates expertise and commitment to sustainable practices, enhancing professional credibility and positioning APs as leaders in the field of lab sustainability.

The AP program’s comprehensive approach to sustainability benefits a wide range of professionals, as emphasized by Tolga Berk: “After completing the program, I can easily say that the accreditation is not just designed for laboratories and their scientists. It is a comprehensive program that offers valuable insights for a wide range of professionals, including procurement managers, health and safety experts, facility managers, project managers, and even service providers like me.”

Start your sustainability journey today

Sign up for the My Green Lab AP Program

Accredited Professionals
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How My Green Lab’s ACT Eco Label Program is Transforming Laboratory Products and Purchasing https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/how-my-green-labs-act-eco-label-program-is-transforming-laboratory-products-and-purchasing/ Tue, 21 Nov 2023 20:47:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=37878

As most scientists and lab experts would agree, laboratories demand substantial resources and have a considerable ecological footprint. To put it in perspective, labs generate an astonishing 12 billion pounds (5.5 billion kg) of plastic waste annually and consume ten times the energy and four times the water compared to typical office spaces. Amidst this impact, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to mitigate the environmental consequences. The products used in laboratories greatly contribute to this environmental impact, emphasizing the urgency for sustainable alternatives in lab practices and materials.

In an effort to improve their environmental footprint, scientists and procurement specialists are actively seeking a solution to support making smarter and more sustainable purchases, achieve their environmental goals, and meet carbon commitments. The Solution: The ACT Environmental Impact Factor Label.

To transform sustainability in the laboratory product market, the groundbreaking ACT Eco Label Program from My Green Lab provides third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products. This independent analysis supports product Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT), allowing manufacturers to effectively communicate the sustainability attributes and impacts of their products and support smarter, more informed purchases by laboratories.

With an ACT Eco Label, manufacturers demonstrate accountability for the environmental impact of their product and their dedication to reducing that impact. An ACT-labeled product also demonstrates a manufacturer’s willingness to evaluate products with a consistent, industry-standardized method, and to transparently provide details of the product’s materials, manufacturing process, recyclability, energy and water consumption, durability, and manufacturing location. The ACT Eco Label clearly and effectively simplifies the process of selecting more sustainable products.

The ACT Eco Label Evaluation Categories 

To provide in-depth, verified, and useful information, the ACT Eco Label Program evaluation process looks at all aspects of a product’s life cycle, measuring a variety of criteria that results in the most comprehensive eco label for life science products.

Like a Nutrition Facts Label for laboratory products, the ACT Eco Label communicates the complex environmental impact information for a product in an easy-to-understand format. Criteria for the ACT Eco Label were developed by industry experts including scientists, sustainability experts, procurement specialists, and manufacturers. Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) criteria in the ACT Eco Label fall into a variety of categories that are evaluated during the auditing process, including:

1. The Manufacturing Categories – Some examples of criteria assessed in these categories include how the factory uses energy, uses water, and reduces waste, whether there are appropriate environmental management systems in place, and if the factory is using fossil fuel-based energy or energy from renewable sources.

2. The Product and Packaging Content Subcategories – Examples of information assessed in these criteria include the material content of the product and the type of packaging the product uses.  

3. The User Impact Categories – Examples of criteria assessed in these categories include if and how much energy and water the product uses per day, if the product is single-use or multi-use, and the expected lifetime of the product.

4. The End-of-Life Categories – Examples of criteria assessed in this category include if the product will end up in a landfill or materials can be recycled, and if the manufacturer supports recycling or second-life uses.  

 

​Each of the impact factors described here contributes to the environmental footprint of the product. By auditing and evaluating these product attributes to the ACT Eco Label Standard, My Green Lab helps manufacturers consider, measure, and drive continuous improvement in these factors, resulting in companies providing more sustainable products for laboratories.

Independent auditor SMS Collaborative (SMSC) has extensive experience evaluating products to the ACT Eco Label Standard, a process that provides clear, third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products.

Example ACT Ecolabel The ACT Ecolabel summarizes environmental performance across impact categories, supporting purchasing decisions and showcasing sustainability.

The ACT Eco Label’s Impact on the Laboratory Product Market

The ACT Eco Label Program incentivizes manufacturers to present information about their products in a transparent way, and to highlight innovations in sustainability. All ACT-labeled products are categorized by general product type (Consumables, Equipment, and Chemicals & Reagents) on the ACT Eco Label database, which is fully searchable and filterable. It allows laboratories to compare products before purchasing, and to evaluate the impact of products currently in use, by assessing the product scores overall and in each EIF category. The database can also be integrated into procurement databases, helping drive the adoption of more environmentally-friendly lab products at the point of purchase. For example, ACT Eco Labels are now fully searchable on the CiteAb reagent search engine, and are used by the Fisher Scientific database to identify greener products.

The impact that the ACT Eco Label program has on transparency in the lab product market is wide-ranging, with over 1,000 products in the ACT Eco Label database from 24 large and small manufacturers (as of November 2023). “The growth of the program highlights how important transparency is in the marketplace. As the market seeks to become more engaged when it comes to product sustainability, and lab sustainability as a whole, laboratories are helping drive the need for programs like ACT by encouraging more sustainable, third-party verified products from their suppliers,” says Raj Patey, My Green Lab’s Business Development Director.

“The program’s growth is not only resulting in more transparency in the market, but also in genuine product improvement. For example, some manufacturers are learning from the product audit process and subsequently making changes to their product’s packaging or manufacturing in ways they otherwise wouldn’t have done without the guidance of the ACT Eco Label Program,” Patey noted.

 

ACT in Action

Demonstrating the industry’s united effort towards driving more sustainable practices, My Green Lab has partnered and worked with a variety of organizations that support the ACT Eco Label Program, including companies that label their products, and groups that use the database to find sustainable product solutions for their lab.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has one of the largest ACT-labeled product portfolios, with a wide variety of products, from Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) freezers to beakers and cylinders. “ACT-labeling our portfolio helped us understand the myriad ways our products can help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. Plus, we can point customers to the ACT Eco Label database for scores and provide helpful insights to how the scores were generated – both of which will allow customers to make informed decisions when purchasing equipment,” Thermo Fisher Scientific told My Green Lab.

Bürkle GmbH recently introduced ACT Eco Labels for their LaboPlast® Bio and SteriPlast® Bio disposable samplers, featuring sugarcane-based bioplastic. “The T in the ACT [Eco] Label stands for Transparency. Transparency is a fundamental value that guides our every step. We believe that openness fosters understanding, and understanding builds trust,” Bürkle GmbH posted recently on LinkedIn. “To ensure more transparency, we have decided to have our products certified with the ACT [Eco] Label. Transparency isn’t always about showcasing perfection; it’s about admitting when we’re learning, evolving, or finding new ways.”

Eppendorf has been in partnership with My Green Lab since 2017 and has a wide variety of products in the ACT Eco Label database, including the first centrifuge on the market to achieve sustainability recognition through the ACT Eco Label Program. “The ACT Program is… the only global program for laboratory equipment which addresses sustainability aspects and product life aspects. In 2017, we were just a very small group of suppliers supporting My Green Lab. Today, most of the bigger suppliers of lab equipment participate and label products by ACT. On the customer side, many pharma accounts are asking for ACT-labeled products, and also academic accounts are interested,” Eppendorf recently told BioProcess International.

Labcon has over 600 ACT Eco Label-certified laboratory products offered in the US, EU, and UK. Labcon also received industry-leading ACT Eco Label scores and currently holds the lowest Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) score of all the ACT Eco Label-evaluated consumables worldwide. Labcon has over 600 ACT Eco Label-certified laboratory products offered in the US, EU, and UK. Labcon also received industry-leading ACT Eco Label scores and currently holds the lowest Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) score of all the ACT Eco Label-evaluated consumables worldwide.

Better Products for a Better Future

My Green Lab’s work reaches a global audience through education and collaboration with laboratories that want to bring sustainability to science. The ACT Eco Label is one part of a community working to drive real change within laboratories.

Through programs such as My Green Lab Certification and the Ambassador Program, the My Green Lab team continues to engage closely with laboratory communities. This work with scientists and lab professionals has illuminated a compelling need for clear, standardized information about laboratory products. It is well-recognized that a significant part of the carbon impact from a lab originates from the lab products they purchase and use. At its core, the ACT Eco Label program empowers scientists and procurement specialists to make well-informed decisions with sustainability goals top of mind.

The ACT Eco Label Program began as a consensus-based effort between manufacturers, procurement, sustainability professionals, and scientists who were deeply committed to improving the trajectory of sustainability in science. My Green Lab is now engaging with stakeholders throughout academia, sustainability, biotech, and pharma to guide revisions in the ACT Eco Label Program. This process will further support the uptake of the program across the entire industry, incorporate more product data for customer and manufacturer awareness, and continue to make choosing preferred lab products easier while updating the functionality of the database. As our process improves, we passionately believe that starting your sustainability journey with the ACT Eco Label not only steers you towards enhanced customer engagement and reduced product impact over time, but also contributes to creating a better future.

Learn more about the only third-party verified ecolabel for lab products

Interested in the ACT Ecolabel? ACT Ecolabel
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The ACT Label Helps Agilent Deliver Their Sustainability Promises https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/the-act-label-helps-agilent-deliver-their-sustainability-promises/ Tue, 08 Feb 2022 21:30:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=38174 information on ACT program

The opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of labs through smarter purchases is tremendous. By procuring instruments and products that will reduce waste, reduce energy consumption, reduce solvent/consumable consumption, and last longer (reducing the need to buy and discard more instruments), laboratories can operate in a more environmentally sustainable way.The ACT Environmental Impact Factor (EIF) label was designed to address the needs of both scientists and procurement specialists for clear, third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products. Standing for Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency, the ACT label is like an eco-nutrition label for laboratory products. It provides information about the environmental impact of manufacturing, using, and disposing of a product and its packaging—making it easy to choose more sustainable products.Agilent Technologies provides instruments, services, consumables, applications, and expertise to life science, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. With environmental sustainability at the core of their values, Agilent understands the importance of reducing the environmental impact of labs through more sustainable products.

“Increasingly, many labs are looking to reduce their environmental impact—while at the same time increase productivity, lower costs, and improve laboratory health and safety. Our commitment to sustainability has led to a new driver for innovation as we strive to find new ways to help our customers reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining highly successful laboratory operations,” said Darlene Solomon, chief technology officer at Agilent.

​”At Agilent, we strive to produce robust and reliable instruments that last for years, if not decades. By creating long-lasting instrumentation, customers can reduce their turnover and disposal of instruments,” said Jennifer Gushue, associate vice president of global marketing for the Mass Spectrometry Division at Agilent.The Agilent team worked together to complete the ACT label certification process. This project resulted in 30 labels across 10 products, including their liquid chromatography and gas chromatography systems in the EU, UK, and US. These labels are now part of, and available for download in, the My Green Lab ACT Label Database.

A continual need of the life science industry

My Green Lab’s recently published report reveals that just 4% of biotech and pharma companies are currently on track to meet the Paris 2030 climate goals to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. The life science industry must assume responsibility for carbon reduction—including the manufacturers, suppliers, and end users of lab products.Understanding the motivation for green practices is an essential first step in improving the sustainability of scientific research fundamentally and permanently. But what comes next? How do we achieve sustainability in the laboratory?Manufacturers of analytical instrumentation can significantly reduce the impact they impose upon the environment. They can responsibly source their materials and parts and operate in a way that minimizes their environmental footprint, with the long-term goal of being net negative.My Green Lab’s ACT program is helping manufacturers create a culture of sustainability through science. Focused on enhancing sustainability in products and manufacturing for the laboratory industry, ACT is a thoughtfully designed, multi-attribute eco-label program.

science lab tools

A substantial partnership

For Agilent, partnering with My Green Lab’s ACT label program was in line with the organization’s core business model. Agilent produces robust, reliable instruments that last for years and are strategically designed to have less impact on the environment. Through this partnership, Agilent has successfully earned ACT labels for various instruments and systems. The result? Allowing for more environmentally friendly products to end up in the labs of their customers.

“Years ago, I was searching for a suitable program but never found one that looked at products in such a cradle-to-grave approach as the ACT label program. To have this specifically for the laboratory market segment that Agilent serves, was the cherry on the cake,” said Michael Frank, associate vice president of global marketing for the Liquid Phase Separation Division at Agilent.

Agilent’s approach towards sustainable lab products

Agilent engineers pay particular attention to a wide range of factors involved in the product development process. One of these critical factors is the environmental impact of the product. “Our instruments are strategically designed to have a low impact on the environment, and we continue to achieve this through various ways,” explained Michael Frank.Jim Gearing, associate vice president of global marketing for the Gas Phase Separation Division at Agilent added, “Agilent products are designed and built to address hidden associated costs that greatly affect the lab and lab business. Examples of hidden costs may include power use, waste production, removal of packaging materials, and recycling of old equipment, just to name a few.” He continued, “Built-in instrument intelligence for Agilent GCs is also developed with sustainability in mind. Instrument intelligence helps the GC minimize reruns and re-extractions while increasing time efficiency. It also minimizes hazardous waste from unnecessary sample re-extractions, providing savings to the lab.”Working with My Green Lab to certify products through the ACT label program has positively affected Agilent’s sustainability culture, not only with customers, but also within their organization. “The innovation that went into reducing the size of our instruments by 70% without compromising performance has a significant effect on reducing our environmental impact,” stated Jennifer Gushue.

Enabling sustainable procurement

Sustainable laboratory procurement reduces laboratory waste in terms of materials and product packaging. It is also likely to be more cost-effective for lab operations. For instance, sustainable laboratory procurement can save on hidden costs such as power use, waste production, removal of packaging materials, and recycling of old equipment.The ACT label program helps Agilent have better-informed discussions about sustainability with their customers. The labels allow Agilent to obtain a comprehensive overview of the areas that impact the environment most. Ultimately, Agilent can help their customers achieve their own sustainability goals by enabling procurement of environmentally friendly lab instruments.”This certification adds third-party credibility to the emphasis Agilent has had on sustainability for years. Agilent will continue to be environmentally conscious in production, distribution, development, and eventual recycling. Using the ACT label as a measurement tool, we will continue to develop GC systems that save laboratory resources and help our customers meet their sustainability goals,” explained Jim Gearing.

act labels

A goal for lasting change

“My Green Lab gave us great recommendations for improvements as well as suggested topics we may consider for longer-term future changes in our instrument platforms and business operations,” said Michael Frank.

Agilent is now pursuing further opportunities regarding its sustainability efforts. These new actions will continue to reduce impact on the environment and provide their customers with greener product innovations. They have also created innovative designs that have significantly reduced the size of instruments, reducing waste by saving resources such as packaging and surplus transportation.

“The ACT certification aligns perfectly with Agilent’s long-term sustainability-guiding principles, which are highlighted in our 2020 CSR Report. Particularly, this enables our customers to operate more sustainably and address world challenges using our products and services,” said Michael Frank. He continued, “Making products sustainably requires a forward-thinking mindset, and I strongly believe that my colleagues who are involved throughout the product development process at Agilent already have this.”

The passion for lab sustainability has spread rapidly at Agilent as more people are engaging in various discussions around sustainability. This is highly encouraging, and Agilent’s partnership with My Green Lab and the ACT label certification will continue to have a positive influence throughout their organization.

Learn more about the ACT label and how you can label your products by clicking here!​

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Here’s How Toxnot Helped Support the New ACT Label Database https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/heres-how-toxnot-helped-support-the-new-act-label-database/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 00:06:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=38708

ACT Database Partnership

Toxnot is thrilled about our partnership with My Green Lab, announced in the Spring of 2021, on our collaborative work supporting the infrastructure for the new ACT label database. With My Green Lab at the forefront of biotech and laboratory sustainability and SMS Collaborative lined up to provide data verification and credibility through third-party auditing, our platform database is perfectly positioned to bring the complete vision of the ACT label from concept to reality.

Toxnot’s cloud-based software advances supply chain visibility, automates product compliance, and streamlines materials transparency. For the ACT database, Toxnot’s platform helps provide the foundational support needed to gather, assess, maintain, and communicate sustainability attributes for universities as well as the global biotech industry. The ACT program offers a way to give buyers the confidence they deserve in purchasing sustainable lab supplies. We are excited to provide the IT systems, user interfaces, and modern APIs (Application Programming Interface) to help maximize the distribution of My Green Lab’s reporting to buyers.
 
Future-proofing Laboratories with Simplified Data Collection

This partnership is an important step in expanding Toxnot’s own mission of improving health & sustainability across global supply chains. When founding our company, we set out on a mission to help companies be transparent about chemicals and their impacts with design tools, client communications, and supply chain intelligence so that they can promote and sell better products. The My Green Lab ACT program takes on the same mission in the biotech industry. For biotech companies (and other sectors), Toxnot’s solutions provide the ability to streamline data collection, production compliance, and product transparency reporting. Our platform simplifies the way manufacturers collect data from their suppliers, and for suppliers providing that data, to safely protect any proprietary information that exists within those materials.

Collectively, the My Green Lab and Toxnot relationship is empowering manufacturers with the ability to future-proof the laboratory product market by giving consumers the ability to make smarter purchases. A greener future for biotech is impossible, however, if manufacturers aren’t aware of what harmful chemicals exist in the products they create. Transforming the laboratory product market starts by helping companies determine if their product materials are safe, and if not, what alternatives are available instead to improve the environmental impact of their product. Toxnot’s platform can address these concerns by improving their ability to manage their products’ ingredient materials, driving insights on the chemical hazards that may exist within their materials, and supporting the development of better, safer product design.

Toxnot’s partnership with My Green Lab will drive change in how laboratory product data is managed, facilitating a clear path towards healthier laboratory environments. It drives credibility for the biotech industry because the data is accessible, accurate, and verified.

diagram

Improving Lab Suppliers Leadership Certifications

My Green Lab’s mission is to build a global culture of sustainability in science, amplifying the demand for healthy and environmentally safe laboratory products. It is vital that lab suppliers work in tandem with these sustainability goals, thinking beyond their supply chain and evaluating how they can simultaneously work to display the leadership and innovation needed to match consumer expectations.

When lab product suppliers don’t have leadership certifications, like the ACT label, it’s critical that they have a resource enabling them to innovate and scale sustainable solutions efficiently. Toxnot’s platform can help laboratory suppliers as the first step to proactively work towards leadership certifications. Additionally, our team is actively working to bolster data sources to our chemical and regulatory database, seeking to introduce product functionalities to support R&D programs, and leveraging new partnerships to promote advantages in marketing and business development to cultivate opportunities for biotech firms.

Pete Girard is the Co-founder & CEO of Toxnot PBC. Pete artfully combines 20+ years of experience at the multinational level with a well-respected background in product management, lifecycle assessment, product stewardship & sustainability strategy. He is a natural collaborator, teacher, and versatile leader.

About Toxnot
Toxnot is a software company with a mission to improve health and sustainability across the global supply chain by streamlining the chemical transparency process. Toxnot provides an efficient system for manufacturers to import chemicals data, provide insight into their hazard profiles, report on the results and create safer products. Organizations are able to automate transparency reporting and compliance, easily collect hazard information and reduce risks across their global supply chain. Toxnot scales from small businesses to Fortune 500 enterprises and is the only free source of searchable GreenScreen® List Translator scores. In 2017, Toxnot won the Environmental Leader Product of the Year Award.

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Here’s How the ACT Label Helped Thermo Fisher Scientific Solidify Their Commitment to Sustainability https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/heres-how-the-act-label-helped-thermo-fisher-scientific-solidify-their-commitment-to-sustainability/ Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:54:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=37817

The ACT Environmental Impact Factor Label was designed by My Green Lab to address the need of both scientists and procurement specialists for clear, third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products. By emphasizing Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) around manufacturing, energy and water use, packaging, and end-of-life, ACT makes it easy to choose more sustainable products.

Thermo Fisher Scientific recently completed the process of labeling 207 of their Ultra Low Temperature Freezers totaling 621 labels through the My Green Lab ACT label program! As our biggest ACT label project to date, we’re proud to partner with Thermo Fisher Scientific to continue building a culture of sustainability in science with an organization that has environmental sustainability at the forefront of their mission. 

The opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of labs through smarter purchases is tremendous. We spoke with Thermo Fisher Scientific to learn more about their journey with the ACT label. Throughout the six month process, Thermo Fisher Scientific was able to solidify their commitment to sustainability, helped instill a culture of sustainability throughout their organization, and better connect with their customers. 


​​”ACT labelling our portfolio helped us understand the myriad of ways our products can help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. Plus, we can point customers to the ACT label database for scores and provide helpful insights to how the scores were generated – both of which will allow customers to make informed decisions when purchasing equipment.”


​Read on to learn more about Thermo Fisher Scientific’s journey with My Green Lab’s ACT label.

Starting the Process

In your opinion, why must manufacturers make laboratory products sustainably?

​For Thermo Fisher Scientific this starts with our mission which is to support science by enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. Building environmentally sustainable products is core to our values, and we see it as a responsibility owed to our customers and the planet.

Why do you think sustainable laboratory procurement is essential? 

When purchasing goods or services, it is important that the buyer consider the impact on the environment and society. By sourcing more environmentally sustainable options, we can incentivize suppliers and markets to source and produce greener goods and services – reducing the impact on the environment and society.

What does your organization do differently in the product development process to make your products sustainably?

We continue to invest in and investigate new ways of developing energy efficient products.  Our New Product Development process incorporates environmental sustainability as we bring products to the market. We partner with our suppliers to ensure raw materials are sourced from recycled content wherever available. Further, we manufacture the majority our products in a zero-land fill factory.

What were some of your specific expectations from the program when you first started? How did those expectations change or develop as you went along?

Honestly, we weren’t sure what to expect.  We recognized the environmental importance of having our products evaluated during the ACT label process and wanted to know the individual scores and sum of all of the scores.  We understood that the process would highlight our sustainability strengths and point us towards ways to continuously improve our products and processes. We approached this as a learning experience and recognized that it would provide us input around new ways that we can support our customers in their journey in bringing environmentally sustainable products into the lab. 

​What was your strategy to approach the project of such enormous magnitude? 

Because of the significant value we see in the ACT label we took the leap and went for it. We were unsure the project magnitude until we were a few months into the process, but the team was dedicated to ACT labelling our entire Cold Temperature Technologies portfolio. Much of the heavy lifting was accomplished by a handful of industrious individuals – especially during the data collection and evaluation process.

act label thermofisher

Bringing the ACT Label to Life

How long did the certification process take from the kick-off call until the label issue?

The entire process was completed in about six months. A few months to really get an understanding of what data was needed, a couple months to summarize and collect data, and then a few months of refining the data submissions and ultimately preparing for the final data audit. It really is an outstanding achievement. We were in the middle of the pandemic working to support ACT label data requests with equipment that is frontline (Ultra-low temperature freezers) in vaccine distribution.

What was the most memorable moment of this whole journey for you?

One of the most memorable moments was when we spent a day weighing and documenting our electronic componentry. This was a tedious process but provided clear insights into where recycled content is currently used during manufacturing and where we can focus on increasing recycled content for the future.

How many people from your team/organization were directly (and indirectly) involved in the ACT label certification process?

~25 people were involved, from product managers, facilities and safety, sales, marketing, procurement, engineering support, and executive level engagement. However, only a handful of employees were needed to oversee the data gathering process.


Results: What The ACT Label Helped Thermo Fisher Scientific Achieve

Could you please describe the specific need/ask this program fulfilled and the challenge it resolved for your organization and product?

ACT labelling our entire Cold Temperature Technologies portfolio demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability as a lab equipment manufacturer and puts us in a position to continuously improve our environmental footprint.

How did pursuing and obtaining the ACT label better connect you with your customers?

ACT labelling our portfolio helped us understand the myriad of ways our products can help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. Plus, we can point customer to the ACT Label database for scores and provide helpful insights to how the scores were generated – both of which will allow customers to make informed decisions when purchasing equipment.

What effect did the certification process have on the sustainability culture within your organization?

ACT labeling had a huge influence on our team. As we worked through the process, we were continually educated on areas where we could act as champions for sustainability across the business unit. The effect is that the culture of sustainability was instilled and continues to spread as there is a renewed push for environmental sustainability in our factories and throughout the organization. ​​


“The ACT label process re-energized us and brought renewed focus on the need for better and more environmentally sound practices and processes.”


​How did your organization go beyond energy efficiency through the ACT label certification of the ULT Freezers? 

Energy efficiency, while important, is only a part of the ACT label scoring. We looked extensively at how we build the ULT and where we could reduce waste. We examined where we used recyclable content in our manufacturing and connected with our key suppliers to make improvements. Because of ACT labeling, we are educating our customers and channel partners on the benefits of the ACT label and where better disposal and reduction of waste practices can be used when a product is at the end of its life.  

What were the most important aspects of your sustainability efforts that affected your score? 

Our biggest effort that impacted the ACT label ULT score was the ULT Manufacturing score. We scored a 3 out of 10 because of the fact that the Asheville, NC facility, where our ULTs are manufactured, is a zero waste facility with a state-of-the-art Air Conditioning system where all green foams and coolants are used. This was very impactful to our ACT label score and allowed us an opportunity to bring this to light during the ACT label scoring process.


Future and Long-Term Impact


​”The ACT label certification process helped us value the importance of environmental sustainability as part of our company’s culture – and to keep the culture of ‘thinking green’ during all decision making.”


What positive lessons have you learned through the ACT label certification process that would drive future product development decisions?

The ACT label certification process helped us value the importance of environmental sustainability as part of our company’s culture – and to keep the culture of “thinking green” during all decision making. In particular, we really focused our attention to sourcing raw materials and carefully evaluating our suppliers for their commitment to sustainability as a key element in building more opportunity to bring environmentally friendly practices to our manufacturing.

How does obtaining the ACT certification align with the long-term sustainability objectives of your company and your customers?

​Because of the fact that the label is only valid for two years and requires a re-certification when it expires, the ACT label incentivizes us to improve environmental sustainability across the organization and our supply chain so that we can score better in the re-certification process. The ACT label is a powerful tool for Thermo Fisher Scientific to demonstrate our resolute dedication to our mission of enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

Learn more about the ACT Ecolabel

The Only Third-Party Verified Ecolabel for Lab Products

ACT Ecolabel
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Become a Green Lab Expert with the Accredited Professional Program on Lab Sustainability https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/become-a-green-lab-expert-with-the-accredited-professional-program-on-lab-sustainability/ Thu, 25 Mar 2021 22:31:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=38662

The My Green Lab Accredited Professional (AP) Program is now live! This first of its kind sustainability accreditation for the scientific industry will benefit anyone who is interested in lab sustainability and wishes to increase their knowledge of key topics and best practices. The AP Program was designed for individuals who work in science or support those who work in science, from scientists and facility managers, to product manufacturers and corporate sustainability leaders.

Announced during our Summit on March 24th, the AP Program will bring together industry experts for in-depth discussions of green lab topics and solutions as a key tactic to achieving My Green Lab’s mission of creating a culture of sustainability through science.

“My Green Lab’s AP Program offers expert resources and knowledge to help scientists and lab professionals enrich and advance their sustainability journey. Each course is thoughtfully designed to educate on the critical concepts of lab sustainability and present practical tools and takeaways to bring back to your lab or organization. Plus, with access to an influential network of green lab champions, your journey will continue well beyond completion of the program,” says Rachael Relph, My Green Lab’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

The AP Program consists of six educational modules offered through an intuitive and interactive online format, including courses on waste, water, energy, green chemistry, procurement, and engagement. Completing one module will earn professionals a badge on that topic, and those who complete all six modules will achieve the My Green Lab AP accreditation. Those accredited will obtain a comprehensive, holistic understanding of how to achieve sustainability in the lab and beyond.

One of the biggest challenges the industry faces is waste, which is why the My Green Lab AP Program is launching with the waste module. Scientific laboratories produce 12 billion pounds of plastic waste each year, which is ~2% of all of global plastic production. It’s estimated that waste alone from labs could cover an area 23x the size of Manhattan, ankle deep. And although much of this waste is hazardous, a lot of it isn’t. Anything that can be thrown in the trash has a potential to have a different end of life. The AP Program’s first waste module will teach professionals how to reduce waste in the lab, with expert knowledge and resources designed to help reduce, reuse, recycle, manage inventory, use take-back programs, and purchase greener products.

Sustainability in the lab is important, now more than ever. Fortunately, the green lab community is rapidly growing, as scientists recognize the need to reduce the environmental footprint of their laboratory operations. My Green Lab’s AP Program will guide scientists and others who work in the lab through their sustainability journey with the necessary knowledge base and practical tools that they can start employing immediately.

Learn more and sign up for the My Green Lab AP Program at mygreenlab.education.

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Check Out Our New, Fully Searchable ACT Label Database https://mygreenlab.org/the-beaker-blog/check-out-our-new-fully-searchable-act-label-database/ Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:38:00 +0000 https://mygreenlab.org/?p=37469

We’re proud to announce new updates including a fully searchable database to the ACT Label Website!

The ACT Label, which stands for Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency, offers labs the opportunity to reduce their environmental impact by making smarter purchases, with clear, third-party verified information about the impact of lab products. The ACT Label provides transparency around manufacturing, energy and water use, packaging, and end of life, helping you better understand the impact of the products your lab is purchasing.

Recent updates to the ACT Label will now make it even easier to choose the most sustainable products for your lab. Our brand new ACT database is fully searchable and fully filterable. The database allows you to search for products by name, category, or keyword, as well as filter products by their environmental impact score. This new user experience allows you to learn more about our over 485 ACT Labeled products that span across 10 manufactures.

The new database will allow you to compare products before purchasing something new, or evaluate the impact of a product your lab is already using.

The updated website also offers other features including the option to export product search results into an excel template for ease of reviewing, and new, easier to read label designs, which are also downloadable.

On the backend, this new database will allow My Green Lab to grow the ACT Label program. “These updates will allow us to dramatically scale up the program, and we expect to have 2,000+ ACT Labels by Q2 this year,” says James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab. “As ACT becomes the global standard around the world, our new database will also be able to fully integrate into procurement databases, helping drive the adoption of more environmentally friendly products in labs, in support of our mission to build a culture of sustainability in science,” continues Connelly.

Visiting the ACT Website will help you understand the ins and outs of the ACT Program. Whether you want to search the database for products in your lab, or you’re a manufacturer who would like to get their product labeled, the new website will help you start your ACT journey.

Check out the new ACT Label website HERE!

Check out the new ACT Label website HERE!

Interested in labeling your product through ACT?

ACT Ecolabel
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