Environmental sustainability
Healthcare delivery involves the use of single-use products and generates significant volumes of non-recyclable waste. This is necessary to maintain infection control and patient safety, but carries a large environmental burden.
The clinic is working towards waste reduction and records the following strategies for review and ongoing improvement.
- Using autoclavable metal instruments where suitable.
- Purchasing biodegradable products when available, including gloves, towels, bags and absorbent pads.
- Choosing paper packaging over plastic where suitable.
- Minimising paper use through electronic medical records, electronic prescribing and reduced fax communication.
- Purchasing recycled paper products.
- Avoiding unnecessary tests and investigations while keeping clinical need as the first priority.
- Reducing travel where clinically suitable through telehealth consultations.
- Subscribing to a renewable energy electricity provider.
- Participating in recycling programmes.
- Reducing incineration by correctly identifying hazardous clinical waste and non-contaminated clinical waste.
- Using low-energy lighting.
- Using time-restricted heating and cooling.
These statements should be reviewed when suppliers, waste contractors, practice systems, fit-out decisions or workflows change.