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As the leading international supplier to microbiology and tissue culture industries, Don Whitley Scientific (DWS) takes great pride in ensuring that our products align with our values surrounding sustainability. From developing and manufacturing all of our products in-house, we have formed a close-knit community which enables various departments to work together and exchange their expertise. Not only does this create an environment that fosters innovation, but, with our environmental team and engineering team in such close quarters, we can develop products that reflect our Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Whitley Workstations are built to be highly durable and adhere to stringent quality standards, which is why they come with a lifetime guarantee against faulty design or workmanship. Some of our workstations have been in use for more than 30 years and continue to work effectively in laboratories, despite high throughput. If customers wish to upgrade to a new cabinet at any point, our service engineers will remove the unit and refurbish the previous model back at headquarters. If it cannot be refurbished, we may be able to re-use some of the parts, and if the workstation is beyond saving, we ensure it is disassembled, and all the metal and plastic are separated and recycled.
We asked some of our Engineering Apprentices how they feel their work contributes to sustainability, and how that impacts their perspective on engineering:
“It’s exciting to know that our workstations can last for decades, and with just a few replacement parts and a good clean, they can go back on the market at a reduced cost. This helps smaller companies and universities carry out novel research and testing, which is an amazing thing to be involved in.” – Madeline Carney, Engineering Apprentice
“At DWS, we have very high-quality build standards that is evident in the longevity of our workstations. Ultimately, this reduces waste of finite materials as our cabinets don’t need to be replaced as often. Everyone in the production department has had a standards training day to emphasise the importance of recycling, which is continually reinforced in numerous ways, including the different bins we have for separating waste. Working for a company that is environmentally conscious makes us feel proud. Sustainability measures are put in place to reduce our carbon footprint, and this makes us feel like we have a positive impact, especially when compared to other large organisations who aren’t as environmentally consciences. With this being said, engineering becomes more rewarding since we know what we do doesn’t have a detrimental effect to the environment." - Gracie Walton and Harris Duckworth, Engineering Apprentices
As we celebrate World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, we reflect on the pivotal role that engineering plays in driving positive change and shaping a more sustainable future. This is why it is crucial to give young engineers the opportunity to learn about sustainability and support them in recognising the difference their work can make.
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