Comparing Products with a Third-Party Eco-Label: A Leading Example – the ACT Label for Lab Supplies

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Third-party certified sustainability labels are a key strategy for purchasers transitioning to more sustainable supply chains. They can also serve as an important differentiator for suppliers that have committed to producing in more responsible ways. The ACT Environmental Impact Factor Label was designed to address the need for clear, third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products. By emphasizing Accountability, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT) around manufacturing, energy and water use, packaging, and end-of-life, ACT makes it easy to choose more sustainable products. ACT-labeled products are independently audited by SMS Collaborative, LLC (SMSC) and published by My Green Lab. 

Come learn about the ACT program and how it is being used by health systems and MedTech companies to support a market transition towards more sustainable supply chains.

Presenters:

James Connelly, Chief Executive Officer at My Green Lab

James Connelly is a visionary sustainability executive with a track record of growing organizations that have transformed industries in multiple sectors, including manufacturing, real estate, tech, and life science. Over his career, he consulted with and developed sustainability programs for some of the world's largest companies and institutions. An internationally recognized corporate sustainability expert, James has deep knowledge of ESG reporting and strategy. James was selected as a Greenbiz 30 under 30 sustainable business leader in 2017 and a Net Zero Energy Trailblazer in 2019 and is passionate about rapidly catalyzing a global transition to Net Zero.

Elizabeth Eldridge, Director of Sustainable Sourcing at Kaiser Permanente

As the Director of Sustainability for Kaiser Permanente’s Impact Spending program, Elizabeth is focused on reducing the environmental footprint of healthcare and is responsible for developing and executing the sustainable procurement strategy in support of Kaiser Permanente’s health mission.  She and her team also deliver contextual business intelligence to multiple levels of both internal and external stakeholders in support of Impact Spending’s social, environmental, and economic impact pillars.  

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley and a Masters of Business Administration from California State University.

Mellissa Nguyen,  Senior Program Manager, Environmental Sustainability at Vizient

Mellissa Nguyen is a dedicated sustainability advocate and the Senior Program Manager for Vizient’s Environmental Sustainability Program, where she has been instrumental in establishing a strategic partnership with My Green Lab in 2021 to minimize the environmental impact of clinical laboratory supplies. This collaboration has successfully integrated the ACT Label into Vizient's environmentally preferred standards, signaling a strong commitment to sustainability within the healthcare sector. Mellissa shared her expertise at My Green Lab's 2023 annual global summit on sustainable procurement in clinical laboratories, discussing strategies for embedding sustainability into clinical lab operations. In 2024, she co-authored a professional blog post titled “Steps to Establish Sustainability Best Practices in Clinical Labs,” contributing to the dialogue on sustainable purchasing practices. Mellissa has a BSBA in Information Systems, an MA International Trade Policy, an MBA focused on environmental sustainability, and is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.

Matthew Yamatin, Sustainability Program Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific

Matthew Yamatin joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in early 2022 as Sustainability Program Director. He is responsible for developing the Company’s environmental sustainability strategy and leads strategic customer engagement related to sustainability. Prior to joining Thermo Fisher, Matthew founded Decoding Sustainability, a sustainability consultancy, where he developed and executed sustainability programs for clients in the biopharmaceutical and educational sectors. Matthew is a registered professional engineer and  LEED Accredited Professional with a Building Design and Construction specialty.