Sustainability Champions: Kristina Reid Black from InBio

Meet Kristina Reid Black, a Research Scientist on the immunoassay team at InBio, who brings an environmental scientist’s eye to the bench. What drives her isn’t just running immunoassays. It’s making sure the plastic tools of science don’t become part of the growing waste problem.

By championing Polycarbin’s closed-loop recycling program, Kristina helped InBio divert nearly a ton of plastic waste from the landfill in the first two years, while making recycling an easy, everyday habit for her colleagues.

We talked to Kristina about how she’s helping ensure that the pursuit of science doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. This is what we learned..

Q: Can you tell us about your role at InBio and how you got started in sustainability?

My primary role is developing antibody-based allergen assays. We detect allergens in the environment, support worker safety, and also do contract research for companies that make pet products, cleaning supplies, and other consumer goods. It’s a diverse customer base that keeps the work exciting.

However, my background is in environmental science, so I’ve always been passionate about sustainability. When I joined InBio, I saw opportunities to make lab operations more sustainable. Fortunately, InBio’s leadership, Dr. Martin Chapman (owner and CEO), and the team were very open to the ideas.

Q: What challenges did you face before adopting Polycarbin?

For me, the most frustrating part was watching perfectly good plastic, rinsed, uncontaminated, and still rejected by local recycling facilities, go straight into the trash. Valuable material ended up in the landfill simply because it was missing the recycling symbols. That was both wasteful and unnecessary, but it motivated my colleagues and myself to seek out a solution.

Of course, we already used brand-specific take-back programs for a handful of items. But the reality was that much of InBio’s plastic footprint had nowhere to go. And I couldn’t accept that. 

Q: What made Polycarbin stand out?

Their closed-loop model was what sealed the deal for us. Polycarbin doesn’t just haul the used lab plastic away. They transform it into new lab products we buy and use. That was a game-changer. Plus, their program is brand agnostic, so they take the types of plastics we generate every day in the lab.

Q: What results have you seen so far?

Well, to start, the rollout was simple. Polycarbin set up a Zoom call, walked us through the workflow, and provided signage and quick guides. We put collection containers in obvious, convenient spots, and our staff picked up the process right away.

Since starting with Polycarbin in mid-2023, we’ve diverted about 1,800 pounds of plastic from landfill. We’re also members of the local Green Business Alliance, so we track metrics like solar energy use and waste diversion. Polycarbin’s convenient reporting fits right into that.

We also got overwhelming positive feedback from the team. The InBio team readily sorts their lab waste without question. Polycarbin’s solution aligns with their concerns about sustainability, so they appreciate that their effort is making a difference.

Q: What advice would you give to other labs looking to get started?

You need to take it slow and focus on your biggest waste sources first. Not everyone will be as enthusiastic as you, so rolling things out step by step works better than trying to do everything at once. 

Start small, prove success, and then expand. And make sure leadership is on board, since there’s a cost, but of course, the benefits far outweigh it.

About InBio

InBio develops highly purified allergens, advanced test kits, and antibody-based allergen assays that support indoor air quality, worker safety, and specialized contract research. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, InBio combines scientific innovation with a commitment to sustainability.

You can learn more about InBio by clicking the link here. 

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