This reduction is expected to be achieved through a range of programs focused on reducing the company’s consumption of non-renewable resources, eliminating waste, and adopting behavioral changes that support long-term environmental sustainability. Many of these programs are aimed at reducing Millipore’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, a key factor in global climate change.
“I am proud of the significant progress we have made in reducing our carbon footprint over the past twelve months,” said Martin Madaus, president and chief executive officer of Millipore. “The issue of global economic climate change is an important one for all business leaders, and we are demonstrating how taking a targeted approach can drive results quickly. Globally, we now purchase 10% of our energy from renewable sources, and we will be stepping up our efforts to further reduce our environmental impacts—through our products and packaging, operational improvements, and behavioral changes.”
Millipore also issued its first annual Sustainability Report, which describes other major achievements, as well as priorities, in its global sustainability efforts. The company’s accomplishments include savings of 5.1 million kilowatt hours of energy through efficiency measures; switching over its US fleet to include 30% hybrid vehicles and initiating an employee hybrid vehicle incentive program; and introducing its first bioplastic product, EcoStand. The Sustainability Report aligns with the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) G3 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.
Ongoing priorities for Millipore include, where practicable, the incorporation of green building practices in renovation and construction projects, reducing water use through process engineering improvements, and using Design for Environment tools in its products and packaging.
“Our vision is to establish Millipore as a role model for sustainability leadership,” said David Newman, Director of Sustainability at Millipore. “We are working hard to achieve leading-edge product stewardship, state-of-the-art packaging options, and a culture of sustainability. We have ambitious goals, but by taking a focused approach to our sustainability activities we are confident they can be achieved.”
Millipore has become a partner in Climate Leaders, a voluntary partnership between industry and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop greenhouse gas-reduction strategies. Recently, the company also joined the EPA’s Green Power Partnership and has purchased renewable energy for five manufacturing facilities.
