www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability Did you know...? We have held ISO 14001 Environmental Management Accreditation since 2013. Supporting Sustainability for All Our Futures Alpha Laboratories Ltd. initially obtained the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System accreditation in March 2013, being among the first laboratory suppliers to achieve this. In April 2018 we integrated this with our Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) and successfully transitioned to the updated ISO 14001:2015 standard. Annual audits ensure we uphold these international standards, striving to continually reduce our impact on the environment. ISO 14001:2015 accreditation focuses our commitment to consistently conduct operations in a way that is protective of the environment and ensures compliance with all relevant local, national and international statutory, regulatory and legal requirements. Our Corporate Environmental Certification The Alpha Laboratories’ Senior Management Team is committed to: ✓Reducing pollution and waste from operations and managing any remaining waste through safe and responsible disposal ✓Diminishing our consumption of natural resources, using sustainable resources where possible and striving to improve our environmental performance ✓Reviewing the Environmental and Quality Management System at regular intervals and providing the resources needed to ensure its continuing suitability, effectiveness and improvement ✓Establishing and reviewing Environmental and Quality objectives and ensuring that these objectives are communicated, understood and implemented at appropriate levels of the company Alpha Laboratories Ltd is committed to innovative sustainability practices focused on building a better world for future generations. Our internal strategy is centred around sustainability and our 3 pillars; People, Planet, Culture. People: • Creating an inclusive, ethical, and diverse workspace • Prioritising staff wellbeing and career progression • Supporting our local community through various projects Planet: • Taking ownership of our impact on the environment • Reporting our emissions and encouraging transparency throughout the supply chain Culture: • Ensuring commitments within all levels of governance • Continuously looking for more innovative and sustainable solutions to meet customer demands Within our business we have a strong focus on diminishing our reliance and consumption of finite resources, opting for sustainable alternatives, and collaborations with our local community. Overall striving to improve our environmental performance and the social wellbeing of both our employees and community members. This covers all aspects of our business from reduced use of energy and printing, conversion of our car fleet to Electric and Hybrid vehicles, to staff hours spent in community projects. Partnering with our customers is paramount to meeting our sustainability goals. Campaigns such as our LaboraTree scheme create a positive impact, enabling us to support our customers’ desire to give back to the environment. We encourage the development of more environmentally conscious products within the industry, and within our packaging materials. We are working with our suppliers to operate in the most sustainable way possible.
www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability At Alpha we continuously work towards reducing our direct emissions and are actively engaging with our supply chain to further reduce our Scope 3 emissions. With our commitment of reaching operational Net Zero by 2040, we have implemented several carbon reduction projects across our operations. We began by conducting energy efficiency audits across our site to identify opportunities where we can improve the sustainability of our operations and reduce our emissions. We have focused on improving the energy efficiency within our buildings and ensuring the transition to a fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles. Our Commitment to Net Zero Alpha Laboratories is committed to achieving operational Net Zero Carbon emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2), by 2040 or sooner. The company is also focused on reaching Net Zero Carbon for its broader organisational emissions (Scope 3), by 2045 or sooner. Alpha Laboratories’ Carbon Reduction Projects Include: Retrofit/ Office Refurbishment Installation of skylights in our warehouse to reduce the need for artificial lighting and upgrades to LED lighting across our site. Building refurbishment includes new roofing and cladding, this greatly improves the insulation of the building, increasing energy efficiency. Business Travel Our fleet contains strictly Electric and Hybrid vehicles, including the purchase of an E-transit Van. We published a new company policy on Sustainable Business Travel, this helps review the needs and methods of our business travel, opting for more sustainable options when possible. Waste Disposal We continuously review all our packaging materials and investigate potential sustainable alternatives, where we can reduce or replace materials. We work to reduce our reliance on paper as we move to incorporate more electronic based processes. Renewable Energy The installation of solar panels reduces our dependency on the National Grid, we are hoping to generate up to 98% of our consumption in the summer months. We maintain a Green Tariff for any remaining electricity consumption, supporting the progress of renewable energies. Refrigerant Gases Continue to monitor and maintain systems to minimise refrigerant gas leakages. We review opportunities to replace current gases with those with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP).
www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability In all aspects of our office, warehouse and field-based environments, staff are trained and equipped to follow sustainable working practices and to consider their impact on the environment. Employees are offered additional Environmental Awareness training to further their knowledge and awareness of their environmental impact. Buildings Over recent years Alpha Laboratories has undergone a phase of refurbishments and made significant investments in the latest British technologies to improve the sustainability of its head office facilities. We invested over £150K in the replacement of our standard roofing with an Advanced Trisomet® trapezoidal roofing system. This new roof has improved insulation qualities, increasing energy efficiency of the building and reducing heat loss. Around 15% of our roofing was converted to skylights over our warehouses. This will help utilise natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting. Other areas of the business have seen the installation of motion-sensor LED lighting, further reducing our energy consumption. Autumn 2023 saw the installation of our new solar panels on our roof. These panels are expected to generate up to 98% of our consumption with the summer months. Within the first month of installation, we saw ~50% of our energy consumption was generated by the panels. This reduces our reliance and dependency on the National Grid, we remain on a ‘Green’ Tariff for any residual consumption from the National Grid, further supporting the development of renewable energy projects. Office Practice Active changes to working processes are reducing the use of printing inks and paper consumption. Overall we are now using 61% less paper than before the pandemic. Employees are encouraged to manage heating and lighting efficiently in their work areas. Waste Disposal To reduce waste across the business all our kitchens have multiple recycling bins to ensure our staff members recycle as much as possible. Currently we recycle: Plastics, cardboard, milk bottle tops, ink cartridges, crisp packets and coffee pods. We opt to use 100% biodegradable bin bags where possible and switched to using recycled paper across the business. We have switched to biodegradable hand towels and toilet roll made from sugar cane byproducts. Opting for these small changes helps reduce our waste overall, having an impact on our carbon footprint. Outdoor Space The outside area of the Alpha Laboratories office is the only green space on the estate and has been undergoing a transformation. Working with guidance from the RSPB we have undertaken extensive planting of rowan trees and thorn hedging to attract and protect birds and other wildlife in the area. Other additions include a bug hotel, raised bed, bird boxes and bird feeders to encourage and support our local wildlife. Travel We have transitioned to an Electric and Hybrid vehicle fleet. Between 2018 and 2023 we saw an almost 70% reduction in vehicle emissions in our switch to a more sustainable fleet. Following successful business operations during the height of the pandemic, with most employees working from home, we continue with an ongoing hybrid working model. Online meetings are normalised which enables efficient communications with our colleagues, customers and suppliers. This decreases energy costs on site and minimises travel which in turn lowers our collective carbon impact. Greener Working Environment Marketing The increased use of advanced digital communications means we can keep you up to date with market developments, new solutions, product innovations and special offers, through our websites, emails and social media. Our online literature library provides a wealth of digital brochures, technical documents and case studies that can be downloaded direct to your PC or mobile device. However, we still feel there is a place for the occasional print publications that can be reviewed offline at leisure. We have taken steps to reduce the environmental footprint of our popular periodicals such as Leading Edge and LabVantage by now printing them on recycled paper and mailing them without any outer packaging. These ‘naked’ mailings save over 100kg of plastic annually. We are exploring innovative ways to combine print and digital such as using seeded paper featuring QR codes to link to digital literature. After use, the paper can be planted to grow wild flowers that attract pollinators as the paper composts away. We offer a range of customer gifts and source those made from recycled materials. We never choose single use items and provide reusable water bottles and shopping bags with their own environmental benefits. Did you know...? You can ask us for a free reusable water bottle, or shopping bag. To request yours, email us at marketing@alphalabs.co.uk As part of our dedication to find innovative solutions, including our marketing, this piece has been printed on paper filled with wild flower seeds. Wild Flower Seeds include: Birdsfoot Trefoil, Black Knapweed, Black Medick, Meadow Buttercup, Musk Mallow, Ox-Eye-Daisy, Ribworth Plantain, Red Campion, Slad Burnet, Self Heal, White Campion, Yarrow. 1. Plant the paper under a light layer of soil 2. Water thoroughly and place in a sunny spot 3. Watch the seeds begin to grow as the paper composts away Scan and bookmark the QR code to view our sustainability brochure and then simply follow the instructions below to grow your own bee friendly flowers. Tel: 023 8048 3000 | Web: www.alphalabs.co.uk This Paper Will Grow! s p on n t h u ly p ! Scan to view our sustainability brochure Find out more Supporting Sustainability for All Our Futures Alpha Laboratories is committed to innovative sustainability practices focused on building a better world for future generations including: ✓ Greener working environment ✓ Eco-friendly packaging & distribution ✓ Sourcing products with a reduced environmental footprint ✓ Turning tips into trees ✓ Recycling your laboratory plastics Tel: 023 8048 3000 | Web: www.alphalabs.co.uk
www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability In early December 2022, Alpha Laboratories Ltd worked with Hampshire Rangers on their Warsash Legacy Project to regenerate a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SPA (Special Protection Area) site. The project saw 75 oak trees, 1 representing each member of staff, planted alongside numerous hedgerows, with further planting planned over the following 2 years. Around 53% of staff members got involved with the planting alongside the rangers and volunteers. Oak trees are known to have long lives lasting hundreds of years, allowing them to sequester tons of Carbon, whilst simultaneously providing habitats that support and protect wildlife and biodiversity. Alpha Woods Packaging We always want to ensure our products arrive to our customers in the best possible condition. Our boxes come in multiple sizes to ensure we can find the best fit for each order. All our Alpha boxes are FSC certified and made from 70% recycled material, the tough outer shell is made from stronger new material and is sustainably sourced. When possible, we will reuse boxes delivered to Alpha to ensure we reduce waste as much as possible. We strive to use the minimum amount of packaging possible; we use recycled paper stuffing for void fill to protect the product during transit and we have opted to use paper tape over plastic tape. Frozen and cold items require special treatment to maintain their integrity. Bubble wrap, which is made form 30% recycled material, will only be used to wrap our icepacks with our chilled products. Our Dry ice products are shipped in a lined cardboard container to use the minimal amounts of Styrofoam. We continue to research new and innovative alternatives to reduce the levels of plastic and waste in our warehouses and operations. Distribution We work with our customers to consolidate orders where possible and use a range of couriers to ensure we use the most sustainable service available for our customer orders. Our E-Transit Van is currently being trialled with more local deliveries and donations. Greener Packaging and Distribution
www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability There is no other material that has transformed the world as dramatically over the last century as plastic. Yet over the past 20 years it has become a growing environmental concern. However, plastic consumables play a vital part in science, medical research and healthcare. Without them we wouldn’t have the knowledge, technologies, products and medicines we all rely on. We work closely with suppliers to source products that are manufactured in an environmentally conscious manner. For example our leading pipette tips and centrifuge tubes are manufactured in a facility that has taken action to operate with minimal environmental impact. It uses a rooftop solar power array, energy efficient moulding machines and a closed-loop water cooling system. The internal recycling programme results in zero plastic waste and E-beam sterilisation produces no radioactive waste. Greener Manufacturing Improvements since year 2000 baseline - Data provided by Labcon 58% less energy consumed 61% more renewable energy 86% less waste 81% less water 89% less emmissions Environmental footprint summary of the manufacturing of our Fastrak® Pipette tips, ZAP™ filter tips, SuperClear, ProtectR® and APEX® large volume centrifuge tubes. Did you know...? The base of the Fastrak® Tip Refill System is made of a compostable bioplastic material. The packaging is made from 95% renewable material. Racks used for Racked Tips and Tube Racked ranges are made from recycled manufacturing off-cuts and new plastic. This reduces production waste material. Racked Centrifuge Tube Racks are manufactured from cardboard and therefore can be recycled with other cardboard material waste. The manufacturing of our Fastrak® Pipette tips, ZAP™ filter tips, SuperClear, ProtectR® and APEX® large volume centrifuge tubes. Did you know...? To reduce the end-of-life impacts of our products, we offer a sustainable recycling solution for your non-hazardous lab consumables. Using and reusing products, such as plastic items, is the most sustainable solution. Ensure optimal product recyclability by using renewable materials. Design reusable and recyclable products with minimal packaging. Use renewable energy and energyefficient equipment to manufacture products. Reduce emissions by moulding, assembling and consolidating orders on-site.
www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability Fastrak® for the Future Our most sustainable range of products is our Fastrak range. This boasts advantages compared to other products, from its sustainable manufacturing to the improved design, ensuring a reduced environmental impact. Compared to other products on the market, Fastrak is lighter, smaller, and overall uses less packaging. The packaging has been designed to use the absolute minimal need of materials, helping to reduce weight and fuel needed for transportation. ✓Tip refill system uses minimal packaging ✓Production utilises 61% renewable energy ✓Base made of bioplastic (plant derived) resin ✓95% renewable packaging material ✓Uses vegetable based printing inks Find out more at: www.alphalabs.co.uk/fastrak All packaging materials are fully recyclable Carton Recyclable Bioplastic Stack Base Tip Platform Transfer Top Minimal Packaging Fastrak Extra-thin Tip Wafer Typical Tip Tray from Other Brands More Sustainable Products Did you know...? Fastrak pipette tip refills start their green life from birth. They are produced in a factory that uses 61% renewable energy, 30% of which comes directly from the facility’s own solar panels. Fastrak provides Fast Racking, Less Packing, Quality Tips. It is just one example of products from Alpha Laboratories that provide you great performance for your science with a reduced environmental impact. ZAP™ Premier filter tips are the perfect partner for Fastrak as their compatible racks can be reused, by refilling with Fastrak tips, to reduce plastic waste. Choosing appropriately sized tubes for your sample volume can make a big difference to reducing plastic usage. We offer a range of tubes in sizes from 0.2ml to 50ml. Our racked centrifuge tubes are now provided in cardboard racks instead of styrofoam. Strip PCR tubes and seals provide an environmentally conscious option over using a whole plate, when working with fewer samples. A Green Choice Without Compromise Pipette Tip Refill System Pack Weight Usable Product Packaging Renewable Packaging Materials 60.2% 95% 52.7% 0.5% 48.0% 0% 41.0% 0.2% 36.6% 0.5% 31.9% 0.5% 450g 39.8% 47.3% 52.0% 59.0% 63.4% 68.1% 510g 560g 650g 730g 840g Images courtesy of Labcon
www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability An example of the LaboraTree scheme card and tokens. LaboraTree is a Tree planting scheme that was born back in 2009. Originally supported by the purchase of Fastrak tips, we have also introduced ZAP tips to the initiative. This means that with every pack of these tips, you receive a LaboraTree collector’s token. When you have enough tokens to complete a card, simply return it to us and we’ll have a tree planted on your behalf. We plant trees around the UK in community woodlands, nature reserves, community farms and urban areas. Each certificate has a unique number so you can see where your trees have been planted. Why Plant Trees? ✓Trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing the effects of global warming ✓Woods provide habitats for many endangered wildlife species, conserving biodiversity ✓Woods are a place for leisure and relaxation for us and future generations to enjoy We only plant trees in community woodlands, nature reserves and community farms, to ensure the trees are planted and maintained properly, so they live to maturity. How does it work? Register online and we will send you a LaboraTree collector’s card with your unique membership number. Apply the special tree tokens found on the outside of Fastrak or ZAP tip packs to your collector’s card. When the card is full, return it Freepost to us. We will plant your tree and record any ZAP tokens towards your additional gift. You will also receive your personalised e-certificate. Find out more at: www.alphalabs.co.uk/laboratree Turning Tips into Trees Did you know...? Thanks to the dedicated LaboraTree members in laboratories throughout the UK, over 2,450 trees have now been planted across the country and are helping make a difference to our environment. Plus, since November 2022 the scheme became even greener. We halved the number of tokens required to just 15 per tree, so that together we can plant twice as many trees. Alpha Laboratories offers a recycling programme for non-hazardous plastics for it’s UK based customers. Turn your used laboratory plastics back into something equally useful while reducing the environmental impact of plastic manufacturing. We can recycle high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP) and Polycarbonate (PC) originally purchased from us. We cannot recycle or accept hazardous materials, so please do not place any contaminated plastics into the bag. The plastics are rinsed to remove any paper labels or stickers and then finely ground and melted. It is then mixed with plastic residues from recycled printer cartridges, which make all the plastic black. The molten plastic falls through a sieve and is rapidly cooled to form small plastic beads. The recycled plastic beads are used by various production facilities in the manufacture of new plastic products, such as plant pots and toys, black drainage pipes, traffic cones, bottles and wheelie bins. It’s easy to register, the service is free of charge and you’ll be doing your ‘bit’ towards easing the environmental cost of science. Simply complete the recycling form on our website at alphalabs.co.uk/recycling, phone us FREE on 0800 38 77 32 or email us at recycle@alphalabs.co.uk Recycling Scheme Fromthe Laboratory To the recycling plant Converted to pellets
Find out more at www.alphalabs.co.uk/sustainability Tel: +44 (0)23 8048 3000 Email: sales@alphalabs.co.uk Web: www.alphalabs.co.uk Alpha Laboratories Ltd 40 Parham Drive Hampshire SO50 4NU JB305A 01-24
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