May 7 2008
Millipore Corporation, a Life Science leader providing technologies, tools and services for bioscience research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, today announced a global Sustainability Initiative - an ambitious effort aimed at reducing the company's environmental impacts and carbon footprint by 20 percent over five years.
“As a leader in our industry and a multinational company, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to be environmental leaders and stewards on a global scale,” said Martin Madaus, Millipore Chairman, CEO and President. “Millipore has launched this long-term effort because I believe that environmentally sustainable operations are essential to the long-term viability of any sizable company, and that it’s the right thing to do in light of the scientific evidence of the effects of climate change on future generations. I am personally committed to decreasing Millipore’s environmental impact, and I hope that many more people will join in this effort.”
Millipore’s Sustainability Initiative encompasses 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 substantially reducing Millipore’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, a key factor in global climate change.
“The issue of climate change is complicated and can only be addressed if we act collectively,” said Madaus. “Getting started now is critical if we want to reduce the anticipated major negative impact of climate change on future generations. Through our Sustainability Initiative we will do our part as a company.”
“By setting a long-term greenhouse gas-reduction goal and committing to reduce its carbon footprint, Millipore is demonstrating corporate climate change leadership,” noted Robert Meyers, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation.
Although climate change is at the center of Millipore’s environmental efforts, the company has also instituted programs and metrics in the areas of solid waste recycling, wastewater production, and Environment, Health and Safety management systems.
Some of Millipore’s Sustainability programs have been underway at the company’s manufacturing facilities for years.
“Our largest manufacturing facilities were certified to ISO 14001, a voluntary environmental standard, years ago,” said David Newman, Director of Sustainability at Millipore. “At these sites and others we’ve already seen amazing successes in the areas of water conservation, waste recycling and chemical re-use.
“We’re also making progress toward our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he added. “We’re replacing fleet vehicles with Toyota Prius and Camry hybrids, we’ve saved over one million kilowatt hours of electricity per year through energy efficiency programs, and we’re matching 10% of our energy usage worldwide with renewable energy sourced from U.S. wind farms."
"Over the next few months we’ll be stepping up our efforts in all of these areas and exploring additional ways to reduce our environmental impact - through our products and packaging, manufacturing processes and LEED-certified building construction."
Millipore has become a partner in Climate Leaders, a voluntary partnership between industry and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop greenhouse gas-reduction strategies. In June the company is hosting a workshop focused on strategies related to energy management, as a way to share successes and explore new environmental opportunities with other companies.
For more information about Millipore’s Sustainability Initiative, visit the Sustainability section of the company’s website: www.millipore.com/sustainability.