QIAGEN Environmental Sustainability Statement
QIAGEN makes improvements in life possible. By producing solutions that detect the human papillomavirus (HPV) in women we are helping to prevent cervical cancer. Our products are used to identify life threatening infectious diseases and convict criminals who have left their “genetic fingerprints” at crime scenes. For over 20 years QIAGEN products are being used to enable our customers to achieve outstanding success and breakthroughs which benefit all people. Whilst playing a pivotal role in these areas we are acutely aware that we must minimize our environmental impact; after all, without a healthy environment, it is futile to make improvements in life possible.
We value integrity and respect our customers, colleagues, partners, communities and shareholders. And we are keenly aware of the environmental responsibility we have for them. That is why we continuously look at ways to reduce our impact on the global environment. The QIAGEN Corporate Code of Ethics, binding to all employees, explicitly states that health, safety, and environmental responsibilities are fundamental to the company’s values. Making improvements in life possible for us means to make the world a better place to live in - through scientific discovery and application and through sustainable protection of our planet.
As a result of this commitment, we have reduced our CO2 emissions by almost 15 tons per year from our new logistics centre by improving the insulation of the building. QIAGEN locations around the world have significantly reduced paper use by processing orders through the “fax-to-email” system. At our main manufacturing site in Germany as well as at other locations waste reduction and recycling are standard business practices, owed to our commitment to conducting operations in a sustainable and responsible manner. Our production facility located in the US saves more than 30.000 liters of water a day by using waste water produced in the manufacturing process to cool the building. And these are just some examples.
But at QIAGEN, we believe we can do more. That’s why we have initiated a corporate-wide sustainability program that strives to systematically reduce the environmental impact which our business has on all levels – not only through strict observation of operational rules and regulations, but also by ensuring that business risks related to environmental corporate behaviour are minimised beyond formal requirements. After all, next generations inheriting this earth deserve more than just compliance.
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Status: October 2008