Green labs

Abstract

McAlister et al.1 in the MJA recently described the carbon footprint of an Australian clinical laboratory. The article was important as it highlighted the importance of healthcare organisations becoming aware of their environmental impact. Pathology organisations, like every corporate citizen, need be aware of their environmental responsibility. There is a literature on how laboratories can reduce their impact2 by developing an Environmental Management System (EMS).3 Benefits to an organisation of implementing an include improved environmental awareness and community relationships, cost savings and business efficiencies, regulatory compliance, improved marketing opportunities and corporate image and reduced risk of disaster. To implement an EMS, an organised approach is essential in order to identify and manage environmental impacts and communicate and foster awareness and responsible environmental behaviour among key stakeholders including staff. Rather than just establishing an environmental policy, undertaking certification to an EMS standard can provide a framework for the adoption of key activities relating to environmental aspects in an organisation, increase accountability for those stakeholders and imbed continuous improvement across the organisation.