ECO-FRIENDLY vets are celebrating after receiving national recognition for its environmental work.
Avonvale Veterinary Centres, which has seven practices across the area, has been awarded bronze accreditation by Investors in the Environment (iiE), a nationwide initiative which encourages firms to introduce cleaner, more sustainable and more environmentally-friendly ways of working.
Under the guidance of sustainability champions at each of its seven practices, Avonvale has created a dedicated ‘green team’, along with an environmental policy to help steer its drive for a more sustainable future.
As part of its work to achieve the bronze award, Avonvale has completely eliminated the use of nitrous oxide as an anaesthetic agent over the past year.
It has also started segregating non-infectious blood waste into offensive waste streams and removed orange (clinical infectious waste) bins from general areas, to reduce the amount of clinical waste incineration, which has a higher environmental impact.
Kate Webb, group practice manager, said: “We know how important it is for businesses to be more environmentally-friendly and it’s vital we back up our words with actions.
“This is why we’ve started a conscious drive across all of our practices to ensure more environmentally-friendly ways of working, from the clinical aspects through to administration work.
“Our changes range from simple things, such as installing LED lights and switching off lights when not in use, to bigger changes such as using low-flow anaesthesia in theatre.
“We’re really proud to have achieved this bronze accreditation from the iiE and we already have a clear plan to work towards the next level silver award.”
Avonvale Veterinary Centres has been caring for animals for more than 40 years. It has surgeries in Warwick, Southam, Kenilworth, Wellesbourne, Stratford, Cubbington, and Heathcote.
Visit www.avonvets.co.uk for further details.
