Hi Reader, last week I was invited to Cologne to give a talk at the Max Planck Institute.
Part of my talk was about the significant savings that are possible simply by choosing the right items and instruments.
However, I also included some hints about companies that might be overselling and greenwashing in our industry.
And the question I asked myself again and again was: how can people know whom they can trust?
Today's Lesson: A Tip to Assess Integrity
How to find out whose claims are accurate.
Number of the Day
Between 2007-2009, TerraChoice developed the “Seven Sins of Greenwashing” as a framework for identifying misleading environmental marketing claims. It highlights common tactics such as vagueness, hidden trade-offs, no proof, worshipping false labels, irrelevance, lesser of two evils, and “fibbing” - outright false claims or presenting a relatively less harmful product as preferable within a problematic category. And a single question might be enough to prompt all these insights:
7
Whom to Actually Trust
While I think there is a simple trick to identifying greenwashing, I think we must first talk about how we got here.
To cut a long story short: on the one hand, some companies have been working on amazing innovations for decades.
A few years ago, as described in this blog, Eppendorf sold 96-well plates with a designated liquid reservoir so that “edge effects” would not prevent scientists from using the outermost wells (e.g., due to increased evaporation). Unfortunately, those are no longer available, and some official guidelines nowadays even prescribe leaving the outermost wells empty. To my mind, Eppendorf is one company that truly pushes the boundaries when it comes to efficiency for lab personnel.
Yet, on the other hand, even in the sciences, some companies engage in greenwashing.
Once a market has been carved out by those who invested, others try to jump in and take advantage. Superficial claims and the inappropriate use of labels give them the appearance of contributing.
However, I truly believe that some start with good intentions. Long hours and sacrifices go into building their projects and companies.
But then reality hits - and it can hit hard at times.
They encounter people who pay lip service but never drive change. Support is scarcer than expected. The solution is not as green as it was intended, simply due to supply chain issues …
Pain turns into frustration, and by now they think it is too late to give up …
The Problems Are Real
As you might know, I am constantly meeting and working with companies that supply the life sciences.
That means I’m in touch with many companies, essentially to get updates on their latest innovations and plans.
However, I also want to get a deeper understanding of what they are sharing and how they arrive at those numbers.
Why? Because I think integrity is important, especially in sustainability.
To be quite frank, I think it is important to note that there are some companies I blacklist from our communications because their practices are more than questionable.
But how can you identify them on your own?
My Tip for You
The best advice I can give you is to ask how the savings are actually enabled.
In other words, don’t simply take anyone’s word or numbers as a given – even if they are “certified”.
No matter which certifications a company cites, they are no guarantee that their claims are accurate. First, norms like ISO have (sometimes intentional) gaps that allow companies to still use misleading claims. Third-party certification bodies can be corrupt(ed), as has happened in the past. I know it’s annoying, but the best judge is you! Importantly, the ACT-Ecolabel is a transparency label. It is not an award and does not prove anything; rather, it is a fantastic tool for learning more about the footprints of a particular item.
And, of course, I don't think you should trust me blindly either. I make mistakes too.
Therefore, I can only encourage you to come to events like our summit, where you’ll hear the people behind these solutions speak.
The idea is that at these events you get a first-hand impression.
This is also why, in the newsletter pieces on new innovations, I always try to include links to the source material so you can take a look.
I’ve previously discussed under which circumstances takeback programs are (un)sustainable. You can have a look right here. However, I think one of the most important takeaways is that sometimes there is no clear answer and you must make up your own mind.
PS: And yes, at our summit, I will try to make sure that your questions get answered.
Not with the classic “we’ll get back to you,” after which the company representative never emails you again.
The Other Side of the Coin
I’ve been in contact with companies that I think have truly valuable solutions.
Some of the people I have been in touch with have an inspiring amount of integrity and passion for the topic.
Join our summit for free to connect with others and hear the people behind the innovations talk about their journeys.
So much so, in fact, that I would argue they should do more marketing, because I believe their solutions are underrepresented at the moment. Well, I think you will meet some of them at our summit.
So, yes, it is a mixed bag. While some intentionally mislead, sometimes marketing has to highlight the exception to garner attention. Nevertheless, more sustainable solutions are available!
Applying the Knowledge
I don’t think there is such a thing as “too good to be true”, because some big numbers are simply true.
For example, by optimizing your HPLC, especially in combination with the right methods, you could save up to 90% of solvent and time.
Click to enlarge. When it comes to instruments, savings can indeed be tremendous. This blog provides amazing examples. The important thing here is to differentiate under which circumstances these savings were achieved. Sometimes they come from standardized, established protocols; in other cases, they really depend on the experiment. The latter doesn't mean it is not possible in your lab. Rather, it is a matter of identifying whether you run similar experiments.
That is a large number, but there is a clear explanation of how these savings are achieved.
However, I find it much harder to explain why certain laboratory consumables should have a negative footprint …
Therefore, ask the simple question: “How?” How are these savings achieved? How did they calculate them? How can you find out more?
Then, make up your own mind. There is nothing so complicated that you couldn’t understand it as a scientist.
And if you cannot, there is most likely something wrong with the claim...
How We Feel Today
References
Vaughan, A. et al., 2025. Reuse of consumable pipette tips for large-scale trace analysis of contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater. RSC Sustainability, 3(12), 5470–5485. doi:10.1039/d5su00644a.
If you have a wish or a question, feel free to reply to this Email. Otherwise, wish you a beautiful week! See you again on the 1st : )
Edited by Patrick Penndorf Connection@ReAdvance.com Lutherstraße 159, 07743, Jena, Thuringia, Germany Data Protection & Impressum If you think we do a bad job: Unsubscribe
Personal Note from Patrick, the Editor Hi Reader, I hope you are doing well! When asked to share your preferences for this newsletter, one thing stood out – how often we still feel like we are fighting alone. I do write this weekly newsletter as a reminder that you are not alone. If you haven't yet, let me know what you think. Otherwise, let me share some interesting opportunities and a fascinating study. Today's Lesson: Make Change Happen Together Sharing opportunities and data to support...
Personal Note from Patrick, the Editor Hi Reader, oh my, was that a hot summer. Is that going to happen more often? We can't be sure now, but this really reminded me of the importance of sustainability. And this is also why I am glad to have you as a reader every week. I appreciate you taking the time. Let me therefore ask you something and try to pay it forward. Today's Lesson: Exchanging About Sustainability Five questions and something to pass on. Improving Education Together Can you...
Personal Note from Patrick, the Editor Hi Reader, what is the worst thing you could hear if you want to help someone? “But that would mean changing the protocol.” Just kidding. But the struggle with changing processes is real. Luckily, I have a few tips for you. So let’s go through where the real cost lies and how to take most of it out. Today's Lesson: Tips for Changing SOPs Some practical advice on how to make change happen. Number of the Day The longest standard operating procedure (SOP,...
