Implementation at QIAGEN
We want to embed sustainability holistically across QIAGEN. Based on a collaborative approach, we have introduced a corporate plastic reduction plan throughout the entire company. It has inspired colleagues to come up with a huge number of good ideas to work toward these goals, changes that also save costs, especially considering how the price for plastic has also gone up with the oil price. Examples are reducing the thickness of our plastic packaging or recycling the gloves and overshoes we use in our labs and production.
We also launched our first ecological product line, QIAwave, this year with 63% less plastic and 42% less cardboard. Innovation, collaboration and teamwork made this possible.
On April 22, inspired by Earth Day, local QIAGEN teams collected trash in green areas around the globe. At our headquarters in Hilden, Germany, 19 employees collected twelve large bags of trash within just 2 hours. It’s so great to see teams working together in so many ways.
In my new role, I have embraced increased stakeholder pressure to work and live more sustainably as an opportunity. Reporting guidelines, corresponding laws and regulations etc. can help all of us accelerate our efforts and impact. UK, for example, has introduced a tax on plastic packaging material, which will have a big impact. Players that deliver alternatives to plastic packaging will enjoy a significant competitive advantage.
Ultimately, linking sustainability with business success gives us more purpose at work while helping deliver revenue gains. Cross-industry collaboration and teamwork are the key to success. And these are starting to happen. In one example, USAID has partnered with more than 150 of the world’s top companies, political leaders and financial institutions to expand renewable and clean energy across sub-Saharan Africa.
QIAGEN has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050. To achieve our goal, alongside plastic reduction, many colleagues are working hard in teams across functions to analyze a wide range of areas – from purchasing green energy to logistics and employee commuting. This will serve as the basis for our team to achieve our ambitious targets and give us purpose in our day-to-day work.
The path to greater sustainability and compliance with stringent and transparent ESG requirements is not smooth. There will be many ups and downs. Yet every step counts. Never underestimate how every conversation and action taken, no matter how small, can lead to a better and more sustainable future. For QIAGEN, for my daughters and for all of us.