Sustainability in Scientific Research: Frameworks for Reducing Environmental Footprint of the Scientific Supply Chain.

Labs are resource intensive spaces, consuming 10x more energy, 4x more water, and 5.5 million tons of plastic every year. In 2023, the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry emitted 163 million tons of CO2 equivalent. Scope 3 emissions, more specifically purchased goods and services, accounted for the majority of CO2e, instilling the importance of addressing the scientific supply chain.

My Green Lab is at the forefront of promoting sustainability in the scientific community, offering novel programs to reduce the environmental impact of labs worldwide. Our initiatives encompass a comprehensive approach, addressing overall footprint of research and manufacturing facilities by providing resources, tools, and best practices to empower scientists and institutions to adopt eco-friendly practices without compromising research integrity.
 
My Green Lab Certification is a transformative process that guides organizations toward sustainable operations and has been recognized by the United Nations' Race to Zero campaign. Labs undertaking this certification benefit from tailored recommendations to reduce overall environmental impact across 14 categories.

The Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) label presents a framework that aids lab product manufacturers in understanding product sustainability and driving future improvement. My Green Lab maintains the ACT label standard and all products are independently audited by by SMS Collaborative, LLC (SMSC). The ACT label simplifies sustainable product selection by providing verified information on the environmental impact of lab products.

In this session, attendees will learn what they can do to make an impact in their work.