Reflections on Sustainability and Engagement in Our Bioanalytical Laboratory

I try to write these blog articles from the perspective of what was fun and enjoyable this week in the world of a contract bioanalytical laboratory as well as what I learned that others may benefit from. In doing so I may stray off the pure-play bioanalysis theme occasionally. I’ll put this, pre-Thanksgiving (USA) article, in that category.

For the past couple of years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with an exceptional group dedicated to our IQVIA sustainability initiative. We’ve partnered with My Green Lab (www.mygreenlab.org), a non-profit organization committed to transforming laboratory environments. Their mission aligns perfectly with our goal to reduce our environmental footprint through scientific principles and practices.

In the realm of bioanalytical operations, especially within a large CRO, there are numerous opportunities to minimize waste and manage resources responsibly. From plastic consumables like pipette tips, tubes, and 96-well plates to plastic wrap and Styrofoam shipping boxes, we can probably all see opportunities for improvement as we look around our labs. In line with our My Green Lab goals we’ve implemented strategies to significantly reduce our waste that has won us recognition and awards with more challenges on the horizon.

Key initiatives to date include:

• Replacing old freezers and optimizing freezer inventory management, which has dramatically decreased our electricity consumption.
• Working with local plastic recycling companies where we have options (considering biohazards of course).
• Switching to LED lighting and installing motion sensors to enhance energy efficiency.
• Improving fume hood practices to boost air handling efficiency in our sample preparation labs.
• Conducting a thorough review of our water usage, leading to substantial reductions in our environmental impact.

Throughout this journey, we’ve celebrated our achievements, and the engagement from our scientific and support staff has been inspiring. It’s clear that our team is passionate about contributing to our sustainability goals, reflecting a shared commitment to being responsible stewards of the environment.

This week, we added an exciting dimension to our My Green Lab efforts by inviting renowned author and TED Talk speaker Prof. Mike Hoffmann to address our Biosciences division. His presentation, titled “Our Changing Menu: How the Food We Eat Helps Tell the Story of Climate Change,” relates to his recent book and sparked a lively discussion. I was thrilled to see the talk generate more questions than I could have anticipated. It was a powerful reminder of how much our team cares about the work we do and the broader impact we have beyond our laboratory walls.

A talk on food was of course fitting for this time of year. As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to extend my warmest wishes to my colleagues in the US bioanalytical network. I hope you find some time to relax with friends and family over the holiday and come back invigorated to see out 2024.