IQS visits FCC Ámbito's waste management plant in Montmeló within the framework of its commitment to sustainability

On Monday, 7 July, a multidisciplinary team from IQS-URL visited FCC Ámbito’s facilities in the town of Montmeló (Barcelona). The IQS delegation, formed by nine people and led by Dr Cristina Alonso, Dr Ana Belén Cuenca, and Juan Miguel Fornas, head of Infrastructure at IQS, carried out this visit as part of their institutional project concerning sustainability and responsibly managing waste generated in scientific settings.

The IQS team was welcomed and accompanied during the visit by Ricardo Gracia Vigara, sales specialist at the Montmeló plant, and Ignasi Oller, sales director for the FCC Ámbito Eastern delegation. Throughout the tour, IQS representatives were able to learn first-hand about the operation of the facilities and the processes that are carried out on site to initially manage waste, especially waste from IQS’s on-campus laboratories.

This visit underscored IQS’s interest in strengthening its knowledge about the traceability and proper management of waste derived from its research and teaching activities. With this in mind, IQS is immersed in a strategic project to reduce the waste it produces in its laboratories with the aim of moving towards more sustainable and environmentally responsible scientific work.

One of the outstanding actions within the sustainability strategy lies in the effort to obtain “My Green Lab” certification, an international recognition programme that promotes sustainable practices in scientific laboratories. Endorsed by the United Nations Race to Zero initiative, this certification is considered the global benchmark standard for sustainability in laboratories. Moreover, it places special emphasis on efficient waste management without compromising quality and scientific rigour.

Through this visit, IQS is reaffirming its commitment to the environment and its goal of incorporating sustainability criteria within all areas of its operations, from education and research to internal management. Partnerships with specialist companies such as FCC Ámbito are key to achieving these objectives and ensuring the environmentally responsible management of waste generated in academic and scientific settings.