Advancing sustainability in life sciences

Within the life science industry, managing the lifecycle of information is critical to driving true sustainability and positive environmental impacts

The missing link between life sciences and sustainability

With Life Sciences dealing with the unique challenges and innovations of biotechnology, healthcare networking, chemical manufacturing and more, it makes sense that most are heavily invested in sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Still, toxic biological and chemical substances are used on a daily basis. Clinics and medical device manufacturing plants contend with water and energy consumption costs. Labs and supply chains require safe disposal methods, and drug production facilities often have large carbon footprints.

Acknowledging this has driven industry leaders to embrace broad sustainability efforts.

Beyond the direct environmental impact of Life Sciences companies, digital transformation and growth have resulted in an increased consumption of natural resources and new forms of waste. This plays out primarily in how Life Sciences companies handle their records and data, both digital and physical. The lifecycle of information sits at the centre of a circular economy, which exists to minimise any negative environmental impacts by enabling the repair, recycling, remanufacturing, or refurbishment of resources for reuse.

A deeper look at digital transformation’s impact on the environment

Life Sciences companies rely on the ebb and flow of their data systems, but this still creates invisible waste even on purely digital platforms. Proper management of all this data and related collateral, both physical and digital, can help drastically reduce natural resources consumption and minimise waste.

• Data

  demands expand with every email shared, customer profile exchanged, supply chain order updated, and lab result produced. Likewise, data centres - and the consumption of natural resources required to power them - expand as connectivity and network demand rise.

• Testing and pharmaceutical R&D

  results in reams of reporting with the intensive oversight and rigorous regulations such companies adhere to.

• Biomedical and healthcare tech developers

  generate paper and plastic waste as products are engineered and distributed.

Proper management of all this data and related collateral, both physical and digital, can help drastically reduce natural resource consumption and minimise waste. To continue reading, click here.