The State of Sustainability in 2023

Sustainability went mainstream for businesses back in 2021, according to the Harvard Business Review. To get on track for goals of only 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial temperatures (from the Paris Agreement) or net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (from the Terra Carta), there has been a push for industry to set sustainability goals, policies, and practices. Since these actions are still self-governed and self-reported, transparency and disclosure will remain key to any progress.

So, where does PAK BioSolutions stand?

Transportation: PAK BioSolutions chooses the appropriate shipment options depending on shipment size. Freight is reserved for only the largest shipments, while most deliveries travel via FedEx. Bundling of shipments is done to maximize efficiency and minimize space. Our employees have the flexibility to work from home on Fridays, reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Our office is conveniently located 0.3 miles from a Metro station for public transit.

Electricity: Our office has movement sensors for controlling lights. The HVAC system is controlled by an energy management system with variable frequency drives for optimization. Non-essential electronics are unplugged when not in use. Our average monthly electricity usage across the past 12 months was 1.8 kWh per square foot. The average usage for a commercial building is about 11 times higher at 22.5 kWh/sqft.

Efficient equipment: All electronics and appliances are less than 5 years old, in proper working condition, and therefore more efficient with energy and water usage. Computers and monitors automatically go to sleep without activity.

Water: Bathroom faucets are motion activated so that water cannot be left running.

General waste: All materials that are locally recyclable get recycled. This now includes all plastic films and diverts about 169 gallons of waste from landfill to recycling plant per month. Single-use kitchen items are made from recycled, non-plastic materials, and reusable items are available for use.

Hazardous waste: PAK BioSolutions does not produce hazardous waste.

Supply chain: PAK BioSolutions is committed to using at least 15% women-owned or small businesses as suppliers. Local suppliers take priority when available. PAK BioSolutions also encourages suppliers to be as eco-friendly as possible.

An Accenture study predicted that only 9% of large European companies are on track to reach net zero by 2050. It has been suggested that small, innovative companies should “lead the way”. However, the burden falls on all humans to save the planet. 60% of global carbon emissions are attributed to household consumption and only 1% of physical products are still in use 6 months from the date of purchase. While this may make sense for the medical industry, it is clear that 99% of purchases signify much more than intentionally disposable products. Society as a whole needs to change consumer culture in order to reach global sustainability goals.

Switching to reusable water bottles prevents 167 plastic bottles from joining the ocean per person per year