Our Green Initiative
At Caltag, we believe that everyone should look after the world that we live in, driving the way in which we operate as a business.
Since the launch of our Green Initiative in 2019, we've been reviewing and improving how we work, from the office and lab to our technology usage and how we source our supplies. Sustainability isn't a one-off project that can be finished; it's a commitment that's to be carried out by our entire team every day.
Recycling
We've rejigged our approach to recycling and single-use items to reduce waste and improve resource recovery throughout the business.
We're using:
- General Recycling
- Soft Plastics
- Mixed Plastics
- Food Waste
- Batteries, Coffee Pods, Printer Cartridges & More – all recycled separately
As well as the above, our 'My Green Lab Ambassador' and green initiative leader keeps an eye on new recycling programs that may be of interest and organises regular collections.
Tech Usage
Digital Processes can be just as wasteful as physical ones, like the energy required to power this increasingly digitalised world.
With our Green Initiative, we aim to counter our energy expenditure by:
- Using energy-efficient computers
- Turning off equipment when not in use
- Link sharing instead of attaching documents in internal emails
- Routine inbox clean-outs to minimise server load
- Digital document workflows to reduce paper usage
We have also partnered with a company here in the UK that collects and refurbishes broken and old tech equipment for free. Once refurbished and data is responsibly destroyed, they sell the equipment for business and personal use to support local charities.
Green Labs
Sustainability extends to our lab spaces too, where we're implementing green initiatives to combat our manufacturing waste, some of which include:
- Reusable glassware instead of disposable plastic.
- Recycling uncontaminated consumables.
- Donating retired equipment to local schools and charities.
One of our proudest moments was when our Green Initiative Leader, Cara, found a new home for our Flow Cytometry machine in Gibraltar, with a charity that needed it for their efforts to combat marine environmental issues.
Responsible Sourcing
When reducing waste, it's important to review where day-to-day supplies are sourced. For us, it's crucial to buy as much local, low-waste and ethically conscious options as possible, some of which include:
- Buying in bulk to reduce packaging and transport emissions.
- Refillable cleaning products from a local Buckingham business.
- Plastic-free, ethical toilet paper where 50% of profits are donated to clean water and sanitation non-profit organisations.
- FSC-certified paper in recyclable packaging.
The little things add up
It's not just the big things. The small but frequent habits always make a big difference over time, too. A few of our extra office efforts include:
- Using biodegradable polychips as packaging filling.
- Having reusable water bottles, with biodegradable brushes to keep them clean.
- Offering a cycle-to-work scheme
- Utilising indoor plants to improve our mental wellbeing and air quality within the office.
Help us keep improving
Whilst we stand in good stead, we're always looking to improve and find new ways to reduce our impact on the environment. Whether those ideas come from our team, partners, or customers, we are all ears.
If you have an idea, we'd love to hear from you. Connect with us on LinkedIn or send us an email at office@caltag.co.uk.
Real change is a collective effort. Let's make a difference together.
