We have always tried to run Cambridge Cat Clinic with the least impact on our environment as possible, and are continuously on the lookout for ways to reduce our footprint (or paw print!).
Here are just a few of both the old and new eco-friendly innovations that we incorporate into our much-loved clinic.
Reduce waste production and improve waste management
- Multiple waste stations allow us to separate all of the waste produced at the clinic, including non-recyclable, recyclable, offensive and clinical.
- Consumables are reused where possible and feasible in a clinical environment. For example, Bair Hugger blankets (heated hot air blankets used to maintain the body temperature of cats who have been sedated or anaesthetised), which are normally single-use, are successfully cleaned in the washing machine.
- Printer ink cartridges and non-rechargeable batteries are taken to the correct disposal facilities.
- We try to be ‘paper-free’ wherever possible and encourage our clients to receive invoices or reminders via email or text message.
- Our ever-increasing social media presence allows us to minimise paper marketing (flyers etc…)
- We aim to choose suppliers who have an ethical ethos and use Fair Trade consumables as our first choice.
- The cat litter that we use is accredited by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC), meaning that it is produced from sustainably sourced forests (and also contributes a donation to the Cats Protection charity).
- Swapping from Sellotape to masking tape helps us take one more small step closer to becoming plastic-free.
- Coming soon…We are soon to be changing to paper carrier bags!
Increase energy efficiency
- Energy-efficient lightbulbs and motion sensor security lights avoid unnecessary electricity wastage
- The design of our clinic, especially the high ceilings, help to avoid the need of air conditioning in the summer whilst also retaining heat in the winter.
- Our computers, lights and appliances are switched off at night to reduce unnecessary energy wastage.
- We choose white appliances with a low energy star rating (EPA).
Reduce chemical product use and minimise toxins
- We use state of the art, waste-free, digital radiography processing for both our normal and dental radiographs. This means that there are no harmful processing chemicals or x-ray films used, that then need to be disposed of.
- Our anaesthetic protocols allow us to use very low doses of drugs and volatile gas, producing very low pharmaceutical and greenhouse gas waste.
- We use as many eco-friendly cleaning products and consumables as feasible in a clinical environment, and these would always be our first choice.
Environmental resource conservation
- Our beautiful flower beds outside the clinic are bursting with wildlife-friendly plants, and we are proud members of the British Bee Veterinary Association.
- The clinic was designed with an eco-friendly ethos in mind, including the building materials, such as sustainable cedar timber.
We believe that every little helps, and if everyone makes one small change, we can better the environment that we all live in.