At Ingleburn Veterinary Hospital we are aware that our activities have an impact on the environment and the rest of the community and we have a plan to minimize that impact.
1. Objectives:
- Ultimately, no waste generation. To return, reuse or recycle all packaging and as many other materials as possible
- To minimize environmental damage by our activities
- To comply with applicable environmental protection legislation
2. Risks associated with this practice:
- Stormwater pollution by faeces and chemicals. Our stormwater drains go to Redfern Creek and then the George's River
- Solid waste generation including medical waste
- Toxic waste generation, primarily in old IT equipment
- Airborne waste generation, mainly by vehicles
- Excessive energy consumption
- Excessive use of other resources
- Noise generation
3. Strategies:
- Don’t wash down around surgery unnecessarily. Use a broom.
- Wash vehicles only when necessary and wash on grass.
- Put rubbish in bins and keep lids closed.
- Use appropriate containers for medical waste, including sharps containers
- Recycle all clean paper and cardboard, and other containers
- Encourage our suppliers to use minimal packaging and recyclable packaging, eg plant packing material.
- Recycle Radiographs and fixer
- Purchase recycled and recyclable materials wherever possible
- Reuse or recycle outdated IT equipment wherever possible
- No unnecessary vehicle use and maintain vehicles in good order
- We use AGL Green Balance electricity, which costs more, but reduces greenhouse emissions
- Use evaporative air-conditioning, turn lights and equipment off when possible.
- Reduce noise from animals. This may involve closing doors and windows temporarily, asking owners to keep animals quiet in the car-park and waiting room, separating noisy animals quickly.
Ref: Campbelltown City Council Environmental Review and Awareness Programme for Businesses in Redfern Creek Catchment.