Sustainability

Emerald Scientific believes quality science is at the core of human health and well-being and we’re passionate about helping people. An important component in improving the health and daily lives of people around the world is keeping the planet we all share healthy. We recognize that every business has a part to play in that stewardship.

 

This is why we have taken the time to earn sustainability ambassador badges from two organizations focused on practical education about how labs, companies, and individuals can participate in meaningful ways to make a difference for our environment. 

 

The My Green Lab Ambassador Program is designed for scientists and laboratory professionals who are motivated to encourage their lab to be more sustainable. This free, online learning program will provide you with a quick introduction to lab sustainability and ideas for how sustainable actions can be implemented at your organization. By becoming a My Green Lab Ambassador you will be able to jumpstart your lab’s journey into sustainability.

Think Big Business Ambassador Program is designed for anyone who is motivated to inspire their company to become sustainable. This quick introduction course will help you jumpstart your company's sustainability journey.

EMERALD'S FOOTPRINT

As we strive to build a better sort of business that positively impacts our society and our planet, Emerald Scientific has had our own sustainability assessment done. 

 

Think Big Sustainable Business has analyzed our company’s sustainability starting point. This analysis includes an overview of where the company has opportunities for improving our carbon emissions as well as areas of the business where we may already have sustainability strength.


Our starting strengths
Because we are primarily a remote company with no company-owned vehicles, our Scopes 1 and 2 are almost negligible.

  - Our employee commute (a part of Scope 3) is lean.
  - Our office ran on 38.5% renewable energy in 2022.
  - We reuse 95% of our exhibitor booth materials.
  - Our office and two warehouses are only manned on a limited ad-hoc basis.


Opportunities for our attention
The majority of our carbon emissions lies in Scope 3, and we will be analyzing methods to reduce all of our emissions by at least 50% by 2030.


WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

Sustainability isn't just about protecting the environment (although that's certainly a crucial aspect). It's also about adopting practices that can improve your bottom line and enhance your company's reputation.

Labs can use a significant amount of energy and water, and generate a lot of waste, particularly plastic. Sustainable practices help reduce this footprint, minimizing the lab's contribution to climate change and pollution.

Reducing energy and water consumption, and implementing proper waste management, can lead to significant cost savings.

Sustainable practices often involve optimizing processes and equipment use. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity in the lab.

Cannabis cultivation can be water-intensive and rely heavily on electricity for lighting and climate control. Sustainable practices like water-efficient irrigation and LED lighting significantly reduce water and energy use.

Traditional growing methods can involve chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can pollute soil and waterways. Sustainable practices like organic farming and integrated pest management minimize reliance on these chemicals.

Sustainable practices like composting and using recycled or biodegradable packaging reduce landfill waste.
Cannabis production generates waste from both plant trimmings and packaging.

As the cannabis industry matures, regulations regarding environmental impact are likely to become stricter. Sustainable practices can help producers stay ahead of these regulations and avoid potential fines or penalties.

Consumers are increasingly interested in products grown and produced sustainably. By adopting sustainable practices, producers can cater to this growing demand and potentially gain a competitive edge.

Many institutions and funding bodies are prioritizing sustainability. By adopting sustainable practices, labs can improve their public image and potentially gain access to more funding opportunities.

Sustainable practices often involve proper disposal of hazardous materials, which can improve safety in the lab environment.


SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT STARTS WITH OUR SUPPLIERS

We are proud to be partners with the top suppliers in the industry. The fact that many of them participate in sustainability programs, hold ISO Accreditations, or have implemented internal sustainability practices is just extra icing on the cake! 

Learn more about the programs our suppiers participate in.

•    MilliporeSigma
•    METTLER TOLEDO
•    Erlab

•    Eagle Protect
•    Brandtech


READY TO GET STARTED?

Implementing sustainable practices is a journey, not a destination.

By starting small, setting clear goals, and involving staff, your team can make significant progress towards a more sustainable future.

 

To help you get started, we've gathered information on implementing sustainable practices in your facility, some of the programs and certifications which recognize labs and producers, and links to additional resources to help focus your efforts.