How Small Lab and Procurement Teams Can Drive Big Sustainability Wins
Small lab teams can spark big sustainability wins by shaping vendor choices, equipment planning, and waste reduction strategies across lab operations. Image: Courtesy of Solvias
Sustainability isn’t just the responsibility of big companies with big budgets. For small CROs and biotech sites, lab managers and procurement teams are in a unique position to lead change—precisely because they wear many hats and touch nearly every aspect of site operations.
Here’s how similar teams can make a real impact:
Source sustainably
Work with vendors who prioritize ESG standards, ethical sourcing, and buy-back programs for lab instruments.
Include sustainability language in contracts and T&Cs—it sets expectations and raises the bar for your suppliers.
Focus on larger distributors who can trace material origins when your team doesn’t have the bandwidth.
Think lifecycle, not just purchase
Look for equipment with end-of-life options—buy-back, trade-in, or recycling.
Track where your major equipment will go after its useful life—it’s good business and good for the planet.
Make lab waste a target
Start a recycling program for high-waste items like pipette tip boxes, nitrile gloves, and lab plastics. Companies like Polycarbin offer recycling solutions specifically for labs—plus tools to track impact.
Educate staff on what can be recycled and make collection easy and visible.
Build green habits into the workplace
Cut kitchen waste by giving employees reusable utensil sets and encouraging a “mug library” to replace disposable cups.
Choose office and facility supplies with minimal packaging or eco-friendly certifications.
At small sites, a few smart decisions ripple out quickly. A small team influencing vendor relationships, employee habits, and procurement policies can shift the culture of the whole site.
You don’t need a sustainability department—you just need intention and the right partners.
