The transition to a more sustainable laboratory is no longer just about internal operational changes. It is increasingly driven by "hidden engines" like procurement and standardized data, according to experts at the My Green Lab Europe Summit 2026. During a panel discussion on procurement and trust, industry leaders highlighted that for most organizations, the vast majority of environmental impact lies within the supply chain.
Tackling the scope three emissions challenge
In the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors, scope three emissions—indirect emissions occurring in the value chain—often account for more than 90 percent of a company's total footprint. Jen Valsler, a director in sustainable procurement at AstraZeneca, noted that purchased goods and services represent the largest area of influence for procurement teams. Unlike scope one and two emissions, which cover direct fuel combustion or imported energy, scope three encompasses everything from raw materials to the disposal of waste.
To address this, AstraZeneca has moved beyond simple engagement to strict accountability. By the end of 2024, approximately 50 percent of the company’s spend was with suppliers who had targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). "We launched a process for how we would agree to walk away from suppliers resistant to setting targets," Valsler said. This shift demonstrates that sustainability is now a core business requirement rather than a philanthropic endeavor.
Identifying the "big elephants" in the lab
While emissions data can feel abstract, Henrik Alfredsson of FrostGreen AB presented a recent study from Uppsala University that translates procurement records into actionable physical data. By analyzing five years of procurement records for single-use plastics, the study identified that just five product categories account for over 80 percent of plastic weight in the lab:
- Hazardous waste bins
- Gloves
- Pipettes
- Pipette tips
- Tubes and cell culture equipment
Surprisingly, waste bins are the "big elephant in the room," representing 31 percent of all single-use plastic by weight but only seven percent of total costs. Alfredsson argued that lab managers should prioritize low-hanging fruit by switching to renewable biocomposite bins or reducing glove thickness from six grams to four grams, which can lead to an eight percent reduction in overall plastic usage.
Strategies for lab managers to improve procurement sustainability
For lab managers feeling overwhelmed by sustainability questionnaires, Frank Mols, a project leader at BCG, suggested focusing on "no-regret moves". This includes prioritizing suppliers with My Green Lab’s ACT labels or those committed to science-based targets. Collaboration is key; the Sustainable Markets Initiative Health Systems Task Force is currently working to harmonize expectations so suppliers aren't burdened by conflicting requests.
The industry is currently moving toward more activity-based measurement rather than spend-based analysis, which often misrepresents actual carbon impact. New standards, such as PAS 2019, are helping to harmonize how product-level emissions are calculated across the sector. "The industry is driving towards harmonization," Mols noted, which will eventually reduce the administrative burden on both labs and their suppliers.
Leveraging data-driven solutions for lab operations
To make these changes stick, lab managers must bridge the gap between procurement goals and daily bench work. Standardized data helps build trust across complex supply chains and allows for more informed decision-making. Tools like the clinical trial carbon calculator or emerging plastic challenge calculators allow labs to simulate the impact of switching to bio-based alternatives before making a purchase.
By combining reduction strategies—such as improved waste sorting—with replacing high-weight plastic items like bins, labs can reduce their fossil-based plastic footprint by 50 percent without increasing costs. Ultimately, the goal is to treat carbon as a cost, ensuring that every procurement decision supports the long-term resilience of the healthcare system.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
