Carbon Reduction Plan 2021 – 2050

Cansford Laboratories Ltd is publicly committed to offsetting our carbon emissions wherever possible, in order to get as close to our goal of Net Zero by 2050.

We will continue to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) over time, as new ideas and methods emerge, which will enable laboratories like Cansford to improve and reduce their carbon footprint.

This goal also includes obtaining ISO: 14001 accreditation to minimise the impact our activities have on the environment – while at the same time, meeting the operational requirements for resources and services across our company.

These aims will be achieved by implementing appropriate procedures covering energy efficiency, carbon reduction, waste management, procurement, laboratory design and /build and transport.

Cansford Laboratories is committed to:

• Reducing energy consumption and costs
• Conserving water
• Reducing, recycling and the environmentally considerate disposal of waste
• Increasing the use of renewable and sustainable energy sources
• The monitoring and continuous improvement with regard to environmental performance
• Promoting sustainable development
• Complying with relevant legislative requirements
• Reviewing the policy in the light of new knowledge and changing legislation
• Being an environmentally responsible organisation

Corporate Responsibilities

Cansford Laboratories recognises that its operations have a significant impact upon the environment and it needs to implement safeguards and procedures throughout the company to manage environmental impacts.

Individual Responsibilities

Individual members of staff can make a considerable contribution with personal actions to reduce the overall carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the company and also reduce the costs of resources.

Recycling of laboratory material

Our laboratory processes use alternatives to plastic wherever possible, and which will not interfere with the chain of custody. Wherever possible, items are recycled and where possible returned to the original supplier for cleaning and re-use.

Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction

This will be achieved by reducing energy consumption and Cansford Laboratory’s carbon footprint, while ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and approved codes of practice.
Individual responsibility includes:

• Switching off personal computers (PCs), lights and non-essential electrical appliances at the end of each day.
• Reporting any faults to management.

Specific objectives include:

• Making quantifiable savings on energy costs against TOMS baseline figures through economically advantageous supply contracts and reduced consumption
• Introducing effective energy saving measures including intelligent hardware, fuel efficient vehicles and cultural change

The process will ensure:

• Effective management and maintenance of the laboratory
• The implementation of specific energy saving and carbon reduction initiatives
• The provision of relevant information to colleagues
• Keeping accurate data and information
• Raising employee’s awareness of the impact of laboratory activities on the environment and to encourage participation in initiatives to reduce energy and resource usage

General Waste Management

Our waste management approach will deliver environmentally responsible, economically efficient and legally compliant storage, recycling and disposal of waste.

Individual responsibility includes:

• Considering the careful use of products purchased by Cansford Laboratories from stationery to equipment.
• Ensure that products used first have the closest expiry date and proper date rotation procedures are followed.
• Considering recycling and reuse wherever possible, creating as little waste as possible.
• Ensuring that any waste is dealt with in the most effective and efficient way.
• Reporting any issues to management.

Specific objectives include:

• Waste minimisation through appropriate procurement, liaison with suppliers and reduced consumption.
• Sustainable procurement: consideration of re-useable products, reduction of waste at the point of delivery/supply, end of life disposal, source materials and supply chain.
• Development of recycling processes to ensure in-house re-use of items within their useful life, utilise manufacturer take back, commercial recycling and value recovery (selling used items and materials).
• Innovation and resourcefulness to be embedded in all areas of business.
• All waste disposal to be carried out through legally compliant and locally compliant contracts.

Sustainable Procurement

Cansford Laboratories recognises that sustainable procurement is an essential element in moving towards a more sustainable society. A sustainable procurement strategy reflects our commitment to embedding such considerations into spending and investment decisions, thus promoting the conservation and improvement of the environment.

Where appropriate, goods and services specifications will include environmental criteria and will be purchased in the normal way through competitive tender and seeking “the best” which is defined as ‘the optimum combination of whole life cost and quality (or fitness for purpose) to meet the user’s requirements’.

Our procurement decisions will take into consideration the impact of today’s decisions on people and the environment, both now and in the future, and will be based on the following principles: 

• Conserving energy, water, wood, paper and other resources, particularly those that are scarce or non-renewable.
• Reducing waste through re-use and recycling and by using recycled products and materials.
• Phasing out or minimising substances such as greenhouse gasses, vehicle emissions which are damaging to health and the environment.
• Ensuring that products derived from wildlife such as wood, paper, leather goods are from ethical and sustainable sources that comply with EU and International trading rules.

We will engage with potential suppliers and work with existing suppliers to,:

• Develop and deliver environmentally sustainable products and services at competitive prices
• Maintain an awareness of all relevant current and new legislation and best practice
• Improve our environmental performance and report on our achievements.

Individual responsibility includes:

• Ensuring that the correct procurement procedure is always used when purchasing goods and services.
• Ensuring that only necessary goods and services are ordered and the correct authorisation is obtained.
• Reviewing the quantity of items used and consider alternatives.

Specific objectives include:

• Avoid adverse environmental impacts arising in the supply-chain.
• Make more efficient use of public resources.
• Stimulate the market to innovate and to produce more cost effective and sustainable options.
• Set an example and demonstrate that Cansford Laboratories are serious about sustainable development.
• Comply with environmental legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Promote environmental awareness amongst suppliers and contractors.
• Consider environmental factors when making procurement decisions.
• Encourage suppliers and contractors to support our initiative by taking their own action.

Green Information Services

Cansford Laboratories will endeavour to reduce the environmental impact of the laboratory, technology and systems it deploys. In particular, it will seek to reduce the power consumed by the equipment and introduce systems to reduce the impact of printing on the environment. In addition, we will ensure that obsolete equipment is disposed of in an environmentally friendly way in line with the European legislation on the disposal of electronic equipment, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEER).

Individual responsibility includes:

• Switching PCs and electrical equipment off at night and weekends
• Ensuring prudent and responsible use of computers and software

Specific objectives include:

• Where appropriate, replacement lifecycles have been extended.
• Equipment value recovery (selling used items and materials).

Forward to 2023/2024 and beyond…

We are currently at the very early stage of how, as a team, we will approach and deliver our Carbon Reduction Plan.
Ideas will be generated across the business – to include lab, office and collections staff – before being put before the Board for further discussion and ratification.

Our wish is to continue on our Carbon Reduction Plan journey into 2023/2024 with actual targets, numbers and actions/tasks to aim for, complete and measure.