Implementing Sustainability into your Clinic

We all recognise how important it is to take care of the environment. In May 2023, the Office for National Statistics found that almost two thirds (64%) of adults in Great Britain said they were worried about the impact of climate change. Of these, 74% were concerned with the impact on future generations, while 64% had taken action to help tackle climate change in the past 12 months.

If you haven’t noticed your patients’ interest in your sustainability, then it’s likely they will soon. So, what can you do to go green?

1. Go paperless

If you’re not already, then going paperless is a really basic first step to make. Most patient management systems are now digital only and an added benefit means your patient data can be made more secure and easily accessible.

2. Cut use of single-use plastic

Make a list of all the single-use plastic that you use in your clinic and look for an alternative for each one. Think bamboo-based alternatives for things like cotton buds and invest in reusable cups for staff and patients to drink from. Of course, there’s going to be a lot of single-use plastic that you just can’t avoid. For these, make sure you have a strict recycling protocol in place that all your staff follow.

3. Reconsider your suppliers

Ask your suppliers about their sustainability policies and if they don’t align with your values, don’t be afraid to make suggestions and ask them to consider making a change. Are they using recyclable packaging, for example? Make sure you’re not over-ordering so you don’t get wasted stock but if you know how much you’ll use, do bulk buy to help reduce emissions from delivery transport.

4. Reduce energy consumption

Make sure you’re switching off any machines at the wall when they’re not in use (remember to avoid standby mode as this still uses a lot of energy), try energy-saving light bulbs, draught proof windows and doors so you’re not overspending on heating, and make sure all lights are off in rooms you’re not using.

Small changes go a long way

If we all make small changes, then together we can make a big difference to climate change. As well as being beneficial for the environment, becoming more sustainable will impress patients and demonstrate your ethical approach to more than just aesthetics.