Achieving plastic free status in practice. How can it be done?
Abstract
Many of us are striving to reduce the amount of plastic we use at home, but how can this be sustained in our professional lives? Especially in an environment where disposable items are an integral part of our work.
Jane Davidson and Jo Hinde, co-founders of Learning Without Landfill explain that: ‘Starting to talk about the environmental impact of our work and personal activities was hard. Only 2 years ago many people questioned how we could make any change in a field like veterinary medicine.’ So, how can it be done? Megan Eastwood-Wright, Head Nurse of Regent Court Vets, Penzance, Cornwall tells us.
Regent Court Vets is the first practice in the UK to receive a Plastic Free award from environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage. We have worked hard to reduce single use plastic, changing products for more eco-friendly alternatives. We have also found ways of recycling the more unusual plastic products that are not currently accepted by local authorities.
More importantly I feel, is the work we have done within the community and with our veterinary peers to raise awareness of the huge plastic pollution problem that the world is facing. Surfers Against Sewage have named us ‘community allies’ in response to this. We have organised local beach cleans, ‘Paws Against Plastic’ and regularly share our efforts on social media.
It's important to remember that change doesn't happen overnight. It's taken us over 12 months to reach this point, and we are still regularly working on new initiatives. My advice would be to start in the non-clinical areas of your practice. Look at the carrier bags you offer, bags used for dispensing and the amount of plastic folders/wallets you use. Consider purchasing recycled ink cartridges for your printers (often cheaper than the branded versions).
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