Environmental and Waste Policy

The practice has identified key environmental impacts associated with the provision of vet care from the clinic and ambulatory services provided by the practice.

These are as follows:

• Consumption of water and electricity
• Use of volatile agents for the provision of anaesthesia
• Waste production and disposal
• Paper usage
• Transport of personnel (and animals admitted to the clinic)
• Procurement and supplies

 

LLEP is committed to reducing these impacts as best possible during the day to day running of the practice. We are committed to working with our staff and customers to:

• Reducing our consumption of energy and raw materials.
• Some examples of how this is achieved is without the list being exclusive is; by turning off all electrical equipment and lights that are not currently in use, reusing equipment and packaging as much as possible, minimising the use of plastic where possible, reducing printing of materials where possible or printing double sided where needed, the use of email for all invoices, receipts, communication etc.
• Reducing waste and carbon emissions – by organising the diary to reduce driving distance by each vet, sharing lifts where possible in line with government guidelines where applicable etc
• Assessing the environmental impact of all aspects of the company and reducing where possible

 

The practice is equipped with recycling bins readily accessible in multiple rooms. Glass recycling occurs – generally from food packaging.

Kitchen/food packaging is separated as needed and recycled in appropriate bins. Plastic bags arriving with orders are reused where possible. The use of plastic bags is kept to a minimum, but cannot be negated entirely unfortunately. Practice heating is provided from a ground heat source pump via underfloor heating, reducing the use of fossil fuels for energy procurement.

The practice is committed to the ‘3 Rs’ – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – in as much as is possible. It is appreciated that it is not practical to eliminate the use or such things like single use plastics etc whilst still putting the needs of our patients first, but reduction is key. It is appreciated that recycling is not all that it is hoped to be, with many plastics submitted for recycling not actually being recycled, so commitment to reduction in use and reusing where applicable is preferred.