A project on this scale can be a lot for an individual to take on , so support from the rest of the team is essential . Along with the iiE leads , it is advisable to appoint a ‘ green team ’ in the business , consisting of people with an interest in reducing carbon emissions .
It is useful if the members of the green team are from different areas of the practice ( such as management , clinical and administrative staff ) so the iiE leads can obtain feedback from every area , with details on how they feel they can improve their carbon footprint .
Members of the veterinary practice should be routinely updated on the progress of the green team , so everyone is aware of new protocols , greener products and the practice ' s latest plans for a sustainable future .
Small changes , big impact
Although you may initially want to demolish the practice building and start a brand new veterinary eco oasis from scratch , often you ' ll need to start on a smaller scale .
Usually , it ' s best to begin with the most obvious areas in which an eco-friendly alternative can be applied . You may find it helpful to start with one section of the practice , such as reception , and look at aspects such as resource consumption and waste within that section .
Often , you ' ll discover lots of creative ways to change habits and adopt more eco-conscious ways of working . A few suggestions follow .
Reduce printing
Printers are essential to working life in most veterinary practices . From consent forms and discharge sheets to drug forms and insurance documents , there always seems to be a document in need of printing .
However , it can be helpful to review which documents really have to be printed , and consider different solutions for others , to reduce the amount of paper used by the practice . For example , could insurance claims be completed through your insurer ' s online system , and could your practice management system process digital signatures from clients ?
Recycle cartridges
Over 65 million printer cartridges are sold each year in the UK . They are almost entirely made from plastic . Only 15 % of cartridges are recycled , meaning that the other 85 % end up in landfill sites . A typical printer cartridge is estimated to take up to 1,000 years to decompose [ 3 ] .
There are plenty of online recycling schemes for printer toner and cartridges . Alternatively , speak to your current waste contractor as they may offer this service .
Segregate ( non-clinical ) waste
While it may seem obvious , ensuring waste is disposed of correctly is paramount to avoid waste pollution , and waste segregation is integral to this . If separate waste bins are not currently available in the practice , you could consider having a general waste bin and a separate bin for recyclable waste . Plastics , cardboard and metals ( such as cans ) may need to be further segregated for recycling , depending on the practice ' s waste contractor .
In 2022 , Major [ 4 ] stated that around 80 % of waste found in the oceans originated from land-based sources . Single-use plastics are one of the biggest polluters and veterinary practices contribute their share . Some plastics within the veterinary industry , such as syringes and blood sample tubes , can be used only once and are essential to practice procedures , but there may be others that could be recycled , reused or repurposed .
Some suppliers , such as IMS Euro Ltd ( IMS ), offer eco-friendly alternatives to consumables , so it is worth checking to see if any simple swaps can be made . Woodward Veterinary Practice made the switch to ecofriendly syringes , which are manufactured with fewer materials than other syringes , as well as being produced in a factory that uses 100 % renewable energy . IMS offers a ‘ Go Green !’ product list , which carries more sustainable products for use in the veterinary practice .
Find alternatives to bottles and carrier bags
It may also be worth assessing your dispensary , as alternatives might be available for prescription bottles and cartons . Suppliers such as IMS offer 100 % recycled prescription bottles and cardboard tablet cartons .
Similarly , plastic carrier bags can often be replaced with paper prescription bags . IMS stocks paper prescription bags made from recycled materials , which are also recyclable after use . It is also helpful to make clients aware of any recyclable packaging introduced , via signs and social media .
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