Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability Initiatives at Focus Referrals

Waste production and disposal

We are constantly evaluating how we dispose of our different waste categories. Our overall goal is to generate as little waste as possible but when generated, recycle as much of our waste as possible. Where this is not possible, such as with clinical waste, we aim to choose disposal methods with minimal impact on the environment. We use reusable gowns, surgical hats and surgical drapes where possible to minimise the waste generated from surgical procedures.

Our facilities

Our building was developed with the environment in mind. We invested in extra insulation to improve our building's efficiency, heat source pump technology instead of gas, energy efficient appliances and space for drying washing outside. Our large bin stores enable thorough segregation of our waste. We have electric car charging stations available for the use of staff and clients in our car park.

Supplies

We have reduced our stock delivery frequency to once weekly, have invested in uniforms made from recycled materials and are investigating our supplier's environmental credentials with care.

Paper usage

We are embracing paper free technology to manage our staff, accounting, payroll and patient records. Any shredded documents can be reused for animal bedding or recycled.

Safe disposal of medications

We encourage the return of unused medicines, that have been dispensed from this practice, to ensure safe disposal by a licensed operator without contamination of the environment.

Planting

We think throughout the year of ways to enhance our outdoor space with careful planting which encourages wildlife in our locality. Our dog walking area has been sown with an environmentally friendly clover lawn to encourage bees in keeping with our bee friendly practice status.