Important Client Information

Environmental Sustainability Policy

Our commitment

At Valley Veterinary Group we understand the importance of reducing our impact on the environment and are committed to doing so. This policy will detail the practices strategy and goals to promote sustainability.

Valley Veterinary Group supports 'Vet Sustain's veterinary sustainability goals'. We acknowledge that our veterinary activities, services and operations have an impact on the environment and have identified key impacts related to our business that contribute to our environmental and carbon footprint. Through the implementation of this sustainability policy we will encourage wide reaching participation, working to reduce these impacts, whilst upholding the highest standards of animal health, welfare and clinical care for our patients.

Implementation

The practice will work with staff, clients, suppliers and contractors to achieve the following objectives:

• Reducing waste
• Reusing materials when possible
• Recycling
• Encouraging the use of food waste bins at all branches
• Avoid printing unnecessary documents
• Use of recyclable confidential waste bags for sensitive documents
• Limiting staff travelling between branches
• Establishing if orders can be transported by staff on their route home rather than making special journeys
• Where possible transport items to branch surgeries with staff there the next day rather than making special journeys
• Client participation
• Encourage clients to use the branch closest to then and limit branch closures/unavailability
• Ensure that clients are aware of the correct and safe disposal of drugs via the Practice
• Wherever possible limit client communication to email, text message and telephone calls.
• Stock levels
• Avoid drug wastage through good stock control
• Ensure all employees are aware of correct drug disposal
• Minimise the use of anaesthetic gases where appropriate
• Publishing and distributing an annual organisational sustainability report

We will continue to improve our environmental and sustainability SOP through annual reviews and updates (sooner if deemed appropriate). During these reviews the practice will take into account an changes in legislation, our organisation and other factors. This policy will be conveyed to all staff members and appropriate training will be provided.