From reducing chlorinated solvent usage to exploring new technologies and recycling initiatives, Pace® has been at the forefront of driving positive change in laboratory sustainability.
In a recent conversation with Pace® Chief Technical Officer Johnny Mitchell, he sheds some light on how sustainable practices are not only beneficial for the environment but also enhance productivity and efficiency.
Low Volume Solvent: A Sustainable Solution
The journey into sustainable practices at Pace® began with the implementation of low volume solvent technology. This innovation, pioneered by Pace®, aims to limit the use of chlorinated solvents like methylene chloride in sample extraction, address federal regulations and reduce emissions.
“What we found as we implemented this practice is that not only could we significantly reduce the use of chlorinated solvents and reduce our emissions, but it also tended to provide a more reproducible set of analytical results,” Mitchell said. “By improving the process to use a lower volume of the solvent, we reduce our potential greenhouse gas emissions, we manage federal regulatory guidelines more efficiently, and we also decrease the potential for exposure to our employees and anyone that might be in the vicinity of our facilities.”
By minimizing the use of toxic chemicals like methylene chloride, Pace® not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also ensures the safety of employees and the surrounding environment.
Beyond Solvents: Comprehensive Sustainability Initiatives at Pace®
While the reduction in solvent usage is a significant aspect of the company’s sustainability efforts, Pace® is actively engaged in other environmentally friendly practices.
“We are also very intently focused on things like recycling,” Mitchell said. “In our industry, a lot of the samples are collected in some type of recyclable plastic container, usually Teflon, or in some cases, PVC. So, we are actively engaged in recycling programs to reduce the amount of waste we send to a landfill.”
In essence, Pace® sustainability initiatives are characterized by a multi-faceted strategy that includes technological innovation, responsible waste management through recycling, and a commitment to creating a sustainable work environment for its employees. By addressing various aspects of its operations, Pace® demonstrates a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to environmental responsibility within the laboratory industry.
Looking ahead, Pace® aims to expand its existing recycling efforts.
Sustainability Goals, Challenges and Trends
“We are looking at everything across the board, including the recycling of additional materials,” Mitchell said. “Plastics are the biggest thing because when collecting samples in plastic containers, we are talking about millions of containers per year. About 50% of our samples are collected in plastic, the other 50% in glass. So, expanding our recycling efforts for glass would be significant.”
One roadblock stands in the way: with the price of materials being so expensive, there are no financial benefits for manufacturers to use recycled material. This makes it difficult to find a vendor that will manage a recycling program with Pace®, though the company is working diligently to expand its recycling practices.
Currently, sustainability trends in the industry are driven by financial considerations with a focus on reducing the total cost of program ownership.
“As we get the country more focused on the environment and implementing sustainable practices, I hope we see interest in solvent use reduction and sample size reduction become more important to the data user.”
Pace® is also exploring ways to enhance the sustainability of the employee experience and is dedicated to evaluating and implementing new practices across the entire spectrum of products used in its laboratories.
How Do Sustainable Practices Impact Lab Productivity and Efficiency?
The implementation of sustainable practices at Pace® has not only reduced environmental impact but has also positively influenced productivity and efficiency. For instance, the reduced volume of solvents leads to a decreased need for storage space to keep samples cold and people to collect samples, impacting the entire process from the field to the laboratory.
“We have reduced the time and labor costs for customers, as well as the carbon footprint from air travel that the samples make. Sustainability has had a positive impact on every aspect of the process,” Mitchell said. “We are not required to continually expand our laboratory footprint, but rather expand the volume of work that can be done in the existing footprint.”
Furthermore, Pace® provides sustainability report cards to clients, offering a comprehensive overview of the positive impacts of its sustainable practices.
“We can provide a scorecard on a quarterly basis that shows the reduction in methylene chloride usage and emission. It shows the reduction in the weight of material that had to be collected in the field and transported by air, a reduction in the labor required in the field, the time it takes to fill those containers, and a reduction in the total weight of waste that is generated from the process,” Mitchell said. “These reports provide the client an understanding that working with Pace ® on sustainable practices results in a decrease in their total cost of ownership and their program.”
Sustainability report cards are a practice that very few laboratories engage in, just one way Pace® stands out from competitors.
Setting Pace® Apart – Our Commitment to Sustainability
From convincing regulatory bodies of the effectiveness of our practices to being the first to actively pursue sustainable technologies, Pace® has set the benchmark for others to follow.
“It is becoming more popular and other laboratory companies are beginning to implement similar types of technologies. They are able to do this much more easily because Pace® has already done the groundwork and set the table for approval of these processes,” Mitchell said.
Despite being a private company not bound by Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) standards, Pace® remains committed to sustainable business practices.
“We are an environmental company. We should be true to our process by having a respect for, and a desire to, reduce our own environmental footprint while we are helping our clients manage theirs,” Mitchell said.
As the industry evolves Pace® continues to lead the way, setting a standard for others to follow in creating a more sustainable future. Pace® emerges not only as a leading environmental testing firm, but also as a trailblazer in the adoption of sustainable practices within the laboratory setting.
