Charles River Announces Endosafe® Cartridge Recycling Program, Strengthening Sustainability Commitment
MWN-AI** Summary
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) has launched a new cartridge recycling program in partnership with TerraCycle, aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste in laboratories. This initiative enables users of Charles River’s Endosafe® bacterial endotoxin testing (BET) cartridges, primarily used for water testing, to responsibly recycle these plastics instead of discarding them as biohazardous waste.
Matthew Hewitt, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at Charles River, highlighted the significant plastic waste generated in quality control microbiology labs and emphasized the need for a sustainable solution. The recycling program allows laboratories to recycle cartridges, thereby minimizing their environmental impact while aligning with sustainability goals.
Charles River has a strong history of innovation in reducing the reliance on horseshoe crab-derived Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) with its Endosafe technology. Its commitment to sustainability is further exemplified by the release of the Endosafe Trillium™, a recombinant cascade reagent that adheres to global regulatory standards and supports the principles of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
Beginning in July, the program will be implemented at the company’s Microbial Solutions site in Charleston, South Carolina, with availability for customers in the U.S. and selected European countries. Enrolled labs will receive Zero Waste Boxes to collect used cartridges and send them back to TerraCycle for responsible recycling, converting them into raw materials for new products.
This initiative not only underscores rising sustainability expectations within the industry but also provides a practical solution for laboratories to cut down on plastic waste without altering existing workflows. As the European Union and global organizations push for reduced single-use plastics, Charles River's program positions it as a leader in merging scientific innovation with sustainability.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) has recently launched its Endosafe® Cartridge Recycling Program, a strategic initiative developed in partnership with TerraCycle to enhance sustainability in laboratory operations. This program not only positions Charles River as a leader in environmental responsibility but also presents a compelling investment opportunity as it aligns with growing global trends towards sustainability and circular economies.
The introduction of this program demonstrates Charles River’s awareness of the increasing pressure on laboratories to minimize waste, particularly from single-use plastics, which are prevalent in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. By enabling the recycling of Endosafe® cartridges — which are crucial for bacterial endotoxin testing — the company addresses a significant pain point for its clients: effectively managing plastic waste without disrupting existing workflows.
From a market perspective, this sustainability focus appeals to an expanding demographic of environmentally conscious investors and clients. As regulations tighten globally around single-use plastics, particularly in the European Union, companies that proactively adapt to these changes are likely to experience competitive advantages. The cartridges serve approximately 70% of global bacterial endotoxin tests, indicating a substantial addressable market that can benefit from Charles River’s new program.
Furthermore, the partnership with TerraCycle underscores a commitment to innovation in waste management, positioning Charles River favorably among peers. Investors should consider that this initiative could enhance client loyalty and attract new customers, specifically those seeking to improve their own sustainability metrics.
Given rising global sustainability expectations and the increasing operational efficiency linked to this program, Charles River Laboratories presents a strong case for investment. Their proactive measures not only bolster their reputation but also potentially enhance their long-term financial performance in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
A solution for laboratories seeking to reduce single-use plastic waste
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today announced a recycling program, developed in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle®, to give new life to single-use plastic cartridges. This groundbreaking collaboration offers users of Charles River’s Endosafe ® bacterial endotoxin testing (BET) cartridge technology an avenue to responsibly recycle single-use plastic cartridges used specifically for routine water testing. The cartridge recycling program reaffirms Charles River’s ongoing commitment to minimize the Company’s environmental footprint and offer a service to assist clients in meeting their sustainability goals.
“We recognize that a typical quality control microbiology laboratory generates volumes of plastic waste during standard testing and monitoring,” said Matthew Hewitt, PhD, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Manufacturing Business Division, Charles River. “This waste includes tips, plastic-based packaging, and consumables. In many cases, these are discarded as biohazardous waste, even when they pose minimal biological risk. This includes materials used in water testing. Our cartridge recycling program works to address this challenge by offering a path to recycle these cartridges, reduce waste, and ultimately support labs seeking to align their testing workflows and supply chains with sustainability goals.”
More than 20 years ago, Charles River pioneered Endosafe Cartridge Technology , a microfluidic approach that reduced the amount of horseshoe crab-derived Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) required for each test by more than 95 percent. That work continued with the launch of Endosafe Trillium™, a recombinant cascade reagent (rCR), designed to meet global regulatory standards while supporting 3Rs initiatives. While cartridge-based testing already eliminates many sample preparation steps that rely on other single-use plastics, such as pipette tips and packaging, this new recycling program allows enrolled customers to return plastic cartridges used specifically for water testing and have them responsibly recycled.
“The scientific community has made tremendous strides in advancing both innovation and sustainability,” said Tom Szaky, Founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “Yet laboratory settings still face a significant challenge, as most single-use plastics, designed for precision, ultimately end up as waste. Through this partnership with Charles River, we’re providing a practical way to recycle a high-volume lab consumable that would otherwise be destroyed. By integrating resource recovery into lab operations, we’re making it easier for science to align with sustainability.”
This partnership with TerraCycle represents the next step in Charles River’s broader sustainability efforts. The program will begin implementation in July, starting at Charles River’s Microbial Solutions site in Charleston, South Carolina, where cartridges are manufactured. Cartridge customers in the United States and select European countries (Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland) can also enroll in the program beginning in July. Customers will receive a Zero Waste Box™ directly to their lab, collect cartridges used in the testing of water, which account for approximately 70 percent of global BETs, and return full boxes to TerraCycle. These will then be properly recycled and processed into raw materials that can be used to make new products, such as outdoor furniture, storage bins, park benches, and other durable goods. New boxes will be shipped automatically to support ongoing collection.
The effort comes at a time when sustainability expectations are rising across the industry. The European Union continues to implement measures to reduce single-use plastics in alignment with its Circular Economy Action Plan. Globally, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and United Nations (UN) are supporting coordinated action to curb plastic pollution. By targeting single-use plastics that are low risk but high volume, this program helps labs take measurable action today, without revising existing testing workflows.
About Charles River
Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies, and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Our dedicated employees are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development, and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit www.criver.com .
About TerraCycle
TerraCycle is an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, creating and operating first-of-their-kind platforms in recycling, recycled materials, and reuse. Across 21 countries, TerraCycle is on a mission to rethink waste and develop practical solutions for today’s complex waste challenges. The company engages an expansive multi-stakeholder community across a wide range of accessible programs, from Fortune 500 companies to schools and individuals. To learn more about TerraCycle and join them on their journey to move the world from a linear economy to a circular one, please visit www.terracycle.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250616628100/en/
Charles River Investor Contact:
Todd Spencer
Corporate Vice President,
Investor Relations
781.222.6455
todd.spencer@crl.com
Charles River Media Contact:
Amy Cianciaruso
Corporate Senior Vice President,
Chief Communications Officer & Government Relations
781.222.6168
amy.cianciaruso@crl.com
FAQ**
How does the collaboration between Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (CRL) and TerraCycle enhance CRL's commitment to sustainability while addressing the need for effective recycling in laboratory settings?
What specific environmental impact does the new recycling program by Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (CRL) aim to achieve in reducing single-use plastic waste generated in laboratories?
Can you elaborate on how the cartridge recycling program launched by Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (CRL) aligns with current global sustainability initiatives and regulations regarding single-use plastics?
What has been the response from clients regarding the new recycling program introduced by Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (CRL) for their Endosafe® bacterial endotoxin testing cartridges?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (NYSE: CRL).
NASDAQ: CRL
CRL Trading
3.54% G/L:
$183.6225 Last:
109,203 Volume:
$180.80 Open:
