Earth Month is celebrated annually in April to raise awareness around the environment and serves as a reminder of our commitment to making Foundation Medicine a leading sustainable business. This year, we celebrated the month through some key activities and moments, bringing employees together to clean up our local community as well as launching a new web page featuring our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts and goals. 

A Passion for Sustainability from Our Employees

Foundation Medicine and its employees have always been committed to environmentally sustainable and green practices within our offices. Beginning in 2012, several employees launched the "Green Team" to discuss their shared interest and passion in making Foundation Medicine an environmentally friendly business, with a focus on making our office and lab practices more sustainable. Garrett, employee of 12 years and founding member of the original Green Team, explained that the group encouraged green practices such as bringing in reusable plates, cups and utensils by posting signs around the office. In 2021, Sustain, an Employee Resource Network (ERN), was founded to continue the mission of establishing sustainable practices in an official capacity.  

Our Continued Commitment to Sustainability

As we honor the original mission of the Green Team through Sustain, Foundation Medicine is also committed to creating a sustainable future for our business within our communities. Our new headquarters, being constructed in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood, is working towards achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation and ensuring the responsible sourcing of utilities. In addition to our efforts in clean and renewable energy, our laboratory waste has been treated with sustainable disposal methods since 2021. Last year, we were able to minimize our waste stream, with more than 96% of laboratory waste in the U.S. diverted from landfills and treated via recycling and other reclamation technologies.  

In celebration of Earth Day this year, Foundation Medicine participated in a community service clean-up through Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that strives for a “clean, green and litter-free" Massachusetts. Employee volunteers spent time cleaning litter from streets and parks in the area surrounding our office at 150 Second Street in Cambridge.

Environmental, Social and Governance Efforts 

As we continue to serve as a leader in our communities, we are committed to reducing our overall environmental impact, investing in programs that bring equity and inclusivity to our patients and employees, and continuing to lead with ethical business practices across the organization.  

Visit our newly launched ESG web page highlights to learn more about our ongoing efforts and initiatives.