Some projects carry a clear sense of responsibility from the start. Our work with Westgate Labs was one of them. The task was to replace a single use plastic diagnostic pot with a compostable alternative that would still protect sample integrity and meet every postal and laboratory requirement.
The part needed to be rigid, airtight and familiar to users, even though the material was completely different. Together we worked through tooling adaptations, moulding trials and material testing until we found the balance that worked. The final container is produced using a plant based biomaterial made in the UK that behaves like plastic during use but breaks down naturally at the end of its life.
For Westgate’s customers, the process is straightforward. When the test is complete, the pot goes onto the muck heap with the rest of the compostable packaging. For the business, the impact is significant. A 90 percent reduction in waste to landfill and the final step in offering a fully compostable, zero waste diagnostic kit.
Claire Shand, Director at Westgate Labs, described it simply.
“It looks like plastic, it behaves like plastic, but it’s completely compostable. This is the final piece of the puzzle to making our range of test kits 100 percent sustainable and zero waste. We had been searching for a solution like this for a long time, and working with Sam and his team at Adreco to bring that vision to life has been fantastic.”
From our side, this project reflects how responsible manufacturing should work. A clear goal, a collaborative partnership and careful engineering to make sure performance is never compromised. As Sam Hill, Group CEO, said;
“We’re proud to have worked with Westgate Labs on a project that not only reduces waste but also proves biomaterials can succeed in high performance applications.”
With the Plastics Industry Awards taking place this week, it is good to see thoughtful work and steady collaboration being recognised. Not for celebration, but because it shows what can be achieved when responsibility, precision and people come together.
