The past nine years have been the warmest on Earth since modern record-keeping began in 1880, reinforcing the need for all companies to adopt more sustainable practices. Implementing minor adjustments, embracing greener technologies, and exploring alternative solutions can significantly reduce a company’s environmental impact.

Sustainability works in tandem with efficiency and customer service, which is why it is so important to BioCareSD. Making processes more efficient and cost-effective — for both BioCareSD and its customers — makes them more sustainable, translating to more flexible and optimized ways to deliver products to customers.

BioCareSD has a robust environmental, social, and governance (ESG) plan that includes emissions reductions, sustainable changes to operations, and a commitment to environmental practices that extend into the future. The company’s cutting-edge ESG tactics allow it to provide differentiated value, reduce supply chain costs, and be environmentally conscious, all while providing innovative solutions for customers.

Here is a look at some of the important changes BioCareSD is making and the key goals being pursued:

 

Reusable packaging 

BioCareSD has pledged to have zero waste sent to landfills by the end of 2025. To achieve this, a reduction of single-use plastics and more sustainable packaging will be implemented. While many plastics can be recycled, opting for reusable plastic is the more environmentally friendly option. BioCareSD is working with industry-leading suppliers to develop sustainable and reusable packaging for use wherever possible. 

BioCareSD also implements a closed-loop system, reducing the amount of packaging supply it keeps on hand. Each package goes from the supplier to the distributor (BioCareSD) to the customer. When the customer receives their product, they apply a return label to the box and send it back directly to the supplier. 

One of BioCareSD’s clients, a top specialty home infusion provider, benefits from this closed-loop system. Instead of hiring more staff, dedicating extra space, and paying employees to sort through packaging waste, it sends the boxes back to the supplier. BioCareSD’s closed-loop system means its customers aren’t bogged down by packaging waste and related inefficiencies. 

 

Waste Reduction

Reducing product loss benefits the environment as well as BioCareSD’s customers and their patients. To reduce product loss, temperature monitoring is used in transit to avoid temperature excursions for regulated products. 

BioCareSD uses real-time tracking and data logging technology within its packaging to indicate a product’s status during transport, for example, whether a product is damaged, if the temperature within the shipping packaging or outside of it is too hot or cold, or if the transport itself is delayed. These measures reduce BioCareSD’s product loss from damage and temperature excursions by 99.4%. Customers are also able to see exactly where their products are, allowing for increased visibility and efficiency.

Additionally, BioCareSD is moving to phase-changing material (PCM) coolants versus water-based coolants, which will also help to reduce waste and protect products from damage during transport, therefore reducing costs.

 

Facility improvements 

One of the biggest ways a company or individual can reduce their carbon footprint is to become more energy efficient. For businesses, this means investing in energy-efficient equipment like lighting, HVAC, and building management systems. 

The tactics BioCareSD has implemented to reduce its carbon footprint can be seen in a recent energy audit report conducted by the Tennessee Valley Authority at its Mississippi distribution center. The facility has high-efficiency LED lights with occupancy sensors and dimmers, uses Energy Star appliances, and has a building management system with visibility and control of HVAC and lighting. When combined, these features use energy wisely, with the addition of automatic controls in place to reduce energy when it is not needed. The audit report notes that these are all the recommended features a facility should have, however, it is rare for them to be used together. Therefore, the BioCareSD facility should continue to maintain these features as it is already operating efficiently. 

 

Freight optimization

Greenhouse gas emissions are split into three categories: scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3. Scope 1 includes direct emissions that a company produces. These are the emissions from a business’s daily operations, like fuel from transport. Scope 2 refers to indirect emissions, for example, energy that is purchased on a company’s behalf from energy companies. Scope 3 emissions are not produced by a company, but are byproducts of the value chain it is a part of. 

BioCareSD’s freight optimization creates a more flexible and optimized method of getting products to customers and reduces scope 3 emissions. For example, if there are two customers in a similar location, the BioCareSD customer care team loads both shipments onto the same truck instead of employing two separate ones, making ground transportation more reliable and efficient. This freight optimization reduces the number of trucks on the road, minimizing the high-carbon output from transportation and allowing customers to save both time and money. 

 

Looking ahead

Operating sustainably and efficiently is a long-term commitment. The work put in today can, of course, have an immediate impact, but it can also take time to see the true effects of small changes that are made. BioCareSD is committed to operating sustainably by making continuous improvements and using the latest solutions and technologies, as evidenced by its past and future plans.

As BioCareSD looks to the future, the vision for 2025 includes a focus on optimizing transportation, reducing emissions, switching to renewable energy, and more. Specifically, BioCareSD plans to:

• Reduce scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, in part through responsible sourcing, supplier partnerships, and waste reduction
• Optimize delivery routes
• Use fuel-efficient vehicles and explore electric/hybrid options
• Explore renewable energy sources like solar panels
• Involve employees, suppliers, customers, and the local community
• Seek input on sustainability priorities and challenges
• Invest in cloud-based technology to track sustainability reporting and manage and prevent safety incidents

Join BioCareSD on its sustainability journey. Get in touch to learn more about how the specialty distributor is operating sustainably.