Collaborating for a Greener Future

We actively welcome suggestions from both our team and our clients on how we can further reduce our environmental impact. As part of this ongoing effort, we are working diligently towards achieving the Sustainability Award through the RCVS Practice Standards Programme. Our sustainability champions, Sam Harrington MRCVS and Daniella Prodromou, lead on implementing improvements and exploring best practices. An example of this is – how would you like to receive your invoice? Click here for billing preferences.

Recognising Our Environmental Impact

We understand that our daily activities affect the environment, and we’ve taken steps to identify the main areas where we contribute to our environmental and carbon footprint:

• Energy use, including electricity, gas, and water consumption
• Emissions from anaesthetic gases and other medical substances
• Waste generation and how it’s disposed of
• Use of paper, office materials, and the impact of suppliers we purchase from
• Travel and transport of staff, clients, and animals
• Vehicle emissions from our fleet and daily commuting
• Use and disposal of medicines, including antimicrobials and parasiticides
• Consumption of raw materials like plastics and pharmaceuticals

Our Approach to Sustainability

Recycling & Waste Management

• Paper & Cardboard: All paper and cardboard from clinical, office and suppliers are recycled via our private collection company Veolia. Our hand towels made from recyclable materials.
• Food & Drink Containers: We have recycling bins in our kitchen and collect any glass, tin and plastic that may be used by our staff. All crockery and mugs are reusable and we only use the dishwasher on full load.
• Plastics: We recycle as much plastic packaging as possible and reuse what we can, for example reusing any bubble wrap sent by suppliers for our own posting of medication. We reuse our scrub pots, pipettes and use biodegradable latex gloves.
• General Waste: We aim to keep non-recyclable waste to a minimum by choosing more sustainable products and reducing overall consumption. We audit our bins at least quarterly and check how many black bags we are producing.

Fleet & Travel

• Vehicles: Our fleet includes 12 vehicles, of which 10 are used daily by our vets. We reduce mileage through our “Half Price Zone Visits” scheme and strategic scheduling of appointments. We check our diary weekly to

• Training: Our vets & technicians are trained in fuel-efficient driving, and we plan to evaluate a switch to electric vehicles when the fleet is due for renewal. One (Sam’s) is already electric.

Preventive Healthcare

• Spring Health Checks: Annual wellness checks offered in spring to detect and address early signs of health issues.
• Laminitis Risk Assessment: Targeted assessments for horses and ponies at risk of laminitis, focusing on body condition, diet, and hoof health.
• Worm Care Plans: Tailored parasite control plans based on faecal worm egg counts and tapeworm testing, reducing unnecessary use of parasiticides and promoting resistance management.
• Vaccine & Teeth Care Bundles: Combined service packages for routine vaccinations and dental care, helping with affordably and efficiently with fewer visits.
• Combined Clipping, Sedation & Dental Visits: Where suitable, we combine procedures like dental work and clipping under one sedation to reduce stress on the horse and cut down on repeat travel and resource use.

Responsible Medicine Use

• Medication: We follow BEVA guidelines to ensure responsible antimicrobial prescribing and reduce parasiticide use.
• Stock Check: We analyse stock levels to avoid over ordering and any waste. Each month, we review expiry dates and move short-dated items where needed to ensure they’re used in time. Vets cars are checked regularly.
• Preventative Plans: Our preventative health plans help to reduce the unnecessary use of medicines.
• Unused Medications: Clients are encouraged to return unused or expired medicines to our vets during visits for proper disposal.
• Anaesthesia: We minimise general anaesthesia where possible by carrying out procedures that can be safely performed with the horse standing under sedation.

Everyday Actions for a Greener Practice

• All light bulbs replaced with energy-efficient LEDs
• Printer ink and toner cartridges recycled
• Reusable surgical gowns and drapes used in theatre
• Reusable Theatre Products – surgical gowns, drapes and washable boots instead of disposable overshoes.
• Invoices, statements, and newsletters sent by email
• Thermostats control office heating efficiently
• Windows and doors kept closed in winter, with draught excluders in place to retain heat
• Laundry washed only in full loads and air-dried outdoors when possible
• Recycling bins available throughout the practice
• Fairtrade tea and coffee provided for staff
• Lab reports attached to client accounts and emailed, avoiding unnecessary printing
• Recyclable sterilisation packaging
• Use recycled wood chip bedding

We have planted over 58 metres of mixed native hedging around the perimeter of our new paddock area, including blackthorn, field maple, hazel, and dog rose. In addition, five standard oak trees and ten willow trees have been planted along the lower boundary. We’ve also installed a natural pond surrounded by a wildflower mix to encourage biodiversity. Beside our front paddock, we’ve added a bird feeding table and in the back paddock there is an owl box.

Planned Sustainability and Biodiversity Initiatives

• Exploring investment in solar panels to reduce carbon emissions
• Working towards a paperless system by improving use of EZVet software
• Installing water butts to collect and reuse rainwater
• Looking into reusable sharps containers to cut down clinical waste
• Adding bird boxes and bee-friendly plants at the front of the practice
• Placing bug houses around the natural pond to support insect biodiversity