Environmental sustainability is at the forefront of Focus Referrals ethos, and our green group are working hard to take steps towards minimising the adverse effects of our services on the planet, whilst still providing the very best care for our patients and clients.
We are incredibly proud at Focus to be part in the Investors in the Environment scheme. Aiming for a straight to silver accreditation by April 2026. We are committed to reducing our environmental impacts and to continually improve our performance with measurable and achievable targets.
Download our Environmental policy here
Download our Travel policy document here
Download our Waste management policy document here
We have identified the following key environmental aspects that contribute to our carbon footprint:
- Electricity
- Water
- Domestic and healthcare waste
- Anaesthetic agents
- Procurement
The introduction of our environmental policy is a commitment of Focus Referrals management and shared responsibility with our associates. Charlotte Wynn is the sustainability champion and with the aid of the Focus Green Team has responsibility for the implementation of this policy.
Signed: Charlotte Wynn
Position: Lead Registered Veterinary Nurse & IIE lead.
Signed: Alice Rhodes
Position: MRCVS Practice Director. Sustainability Champion
Contact details for sustainability enquiries: Ellie West, Clinical Veterinary Anaesthetist (
What are some of the ways we are achieving this at Focus Referrals?
Energy
At Focus we are a fully electric building. We have 2 EV charging stations available in our car park. Automatic internal lights in high traffic areas and outside lights controlled by timers reduce our energy consumption, alongside a practice switch off policy for lights, computers and air conditioning units. We also have an outside drying space for our washing during the sunnier months.
Waste production and disposal
We are constantly evaluating and auditing how we dispose of our different waste categories. Our overall goal is to generate as little waste as possible but when generated, we recycle as much as possible.
Here are just some of the other areas Focus Referrals are reducing their waste: -
- Changing our waste disposal providers in July 2025. This means all our general and clinical waste is now redirected from landfill to produce energy from waste.
- Theatre and pet food soft plastics recycling programs initiated in December 2025.
- Medication audits to reduce wastage.
- Reusable surgical gowns, hats and masks to minimise our waste generated from surgical procedures. These have been updated in October 2025 to NHS standard Revolution Zero fabrics which are part of a fully traceable circular economy. In 2023 we purchased 470 single use surgical gowns. As of October 2025, we are now 100% reusable, producing zero waste in these streams.
Procurement
Through careful stock management we have reduced our specialist ophthalmic deliveries from weekly to monthly, with our primary wholesaler only delivering once weekly. We work with suppliers to source the most sustainable products available. E.g. buster collars made from recycled plastic, pet impact poo bags, recyclable paper towels to name a small selection.
Anaesthesia
Anaesthetic F gases are one of the most potent atmospheric polluters with high global warming potentials. At Focus Referrals this equates to 15% of our total carbon footprint. We adopt low flow anaesthetic techniques to reduce our usage and have delivered CPD training on this to the local veterinary community in October 2025. In July 2025 we installed 4 Sage tech docks which capture our anaesthetic gas waste, preventing its release into the atmosphere, reducing our scope 1 footprint to 0. The long-term goal of this technology will mean this vapour can extracted and re used.
Biodiversity
In addition to our bee friendly planters in our car park, Focus created the ‘Secret Garden’ in summer 2025, filled with pollinator friendly plants, a bird bath, feeders and bug house to help support wildlife on our industrial estate.
For more information on our environmental initiatives and achievements you can follow us on our social media pages.
