Zero Waste Week: Our approach to minimising packaging waste

Cutting consumption

Taking place in the first week of September each year, Zero Waste Week is an opportunity for individuals, schools and organisations to commit to reducing waste by making small changes for more sustainable consumption.

Reducing our impact on the environment is something that we have already committed to for the long term, and a key focus area is packaging.

Across LGC, we use a wide range of packaging materials tailored to the specific needs and regulatory requirements of our products and customers. Packaging plays a crucial role in ensuring our products reach our customers safely and in optimal condition.

In addition, we receive products from our suppliers in a variety of packaging formats.

We know that sourcing and disposing of packaging materials – particularly plastics, expandable foam and metals – can have a negative effect on the environment, and we’re working hard to reduce our impact.

Our goals

We aim to balance product protection with environmental responsibility, focusing on two key priorities:

• Reducing the volume of packaging materials used.
• Sourcing packaging made from certified sustainable materials.

Reducing volume

Over the past year, we’ve cut our use of packaging materials by:

• Replacing plastic components with paper-based alternatives.
• Consolidating shipments to reduce duplicate packaging.
• Using temperature-controlled containers to eliminate the need for additional packaging.

Minimising waste in practice

Case study 1 – Recycling and re-using in Manchester

LGC’s Standards team in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA, supports Science for a Safer World every day. They produce high-quality reference materials for analytical chemistry and spectroscopy, which support the calibration of equipment from leading manufacturers, as well as our VHG product lines.

In recent months, the team has implemented two changes to improve the site’s environmental footprint.

• Recycling and reusing drums

Each month, Manchester receives deliveries of a solvent used in our production processes in large plastic drums. Previously, the empty containers had to be treated as waste and sent for incineration.

Through a supplier review process, the team identified a new partner who could provide the same product and collect the empty drums at no additional cost. Depending on their condition, the containers are either reused for the same product, or fully recycled and repurposed.

Based on our usage last year, this change is estimated to recycle up to 6,000lbs (2,700kg) of plastic per year.

• Recycling metal

Manchester produces specialist reference materials for metal standards, which are used, for example, to improve vehicle safety by ensuring the aluminium used resists extreme deformation and prevents cracking, helping to protect passengers in crash scenarios.

This production generates a substantial volume of metal shavings, turnings and chips – primarily aluminium and steel, along with lead, copper, cobalt and other metals.

Previously, due to the presence of lead, this waste was typically sent to landfill.

By reviewing applicable regulations, the Manchester team successfully obtained an exemption that allows the site to send this metal waste to a certified scrap metal recycler.

This change is estimated to recycle up to 12,000lbs (5,000kg) of metal every year.

Now, the team is looking for more opportunities to increase recycling rates as they work towards zero waste.

Case study 2 – Moving to sustainable packaging

Over the past two years, LGC has been transitioning from expanded polystyrene (EPS or ‘Styrofoam’) boxes to starch-based foam alternatives. We’ve been working with our suppliers to source packaging materials certified to internationally recognised sustainability standards that promote ethical and responsible sourcing.

It’s a long-term project, as each change requires validation to ensure that product stability and functionality, particularly temperature and moisture control, aren’t compromised.

In the financial year 2025-2026, we replaced more than 21,500 EPS shipment boxes.

Looking ahead, we’ll continue to identify opportunities to consolidate shipments and reduce packaging volumes, while expanding the use of more sustainable alternatives to EPS packaging.

A long-term commitment

Zero Waste Week is a reminder that meaningful change often comes from a series of small, practical actions. From reducing packaging volumes to increasing the use of sustainable materials and improving recycling and reuse across our sites, we’re taking steps to minimise waste, while continuing to meet our customers’ needs.

We’ll continue to identify opportunities at LGC to reduce our environmental footprint further and support a more sustainable future.