A real example of a green veterinary clinic

Just to prove that it is possible to do something - check out this veterinary clinic.  They have done some great work and have shared it on their website, including some presentations from the practice principal.  Have a look - you might find some inspiration for your practice here!

http://www.aspenmeadowvet.com/green_tour.html

What I found really exciting about this is what they have done fits very well with the work I have been putting together and presenting here around the sustainable veteirnary practice. 

________________________________________________________________________

I have been in touch with Aspen Meadow Vets regarding polar fleece useage as they indicated this is the bedding they use in their information.   This is something that has certainly come up in discussions we have had around what is the best bedding as of course polar fleece is made from recycled PET bottles - which is great in terms of getting another use about of them, however the source product - PET bottles are not sustainable of course so in an ideal world we would want to create a cyclic system.   

Response regarding fleece:

"I am so excited to hear you guys are working on greening veterinary medicine too.  Our washing machines and driers have lint catches and so all of the fleece that comes off is caught up in that and is put into the trash.  So it could make it into waterways via landfill.  But honestly, the amount of fleece that comes off is very little.  I would think there are different types of fleece and level of quality. Ours is a 2in thick version that has large wool-like curls.  And so maybe that makes a difference. With our high efficiency washer and driers, the washing machines are front loader and spin at 1600rpm.  So when the fleece comes out, it is almost dry already.  Then the driers have a sensor that knows when the load is dry.  So it dries in 5minutes.  The key is to make sure that only fleece is washed with fleece.  If you get a piece of cotton, it will dry in 30minutes, when the cotton is dry.  So when its all fleece, its just 5minutes to dry.  Really efficient way to go."

So some great feedback here which all makes sense and is working within the environment we currently have and I think offers some good solutions.  Easy to implement solutions.  Once your clinic has the high efficency machines/dryers and is using polar fleece, then the next step might be to look for truely cyclic alternatives like modern wool fabric which has similar properties to polar fleece.  There is no doubt this is a process and we will never be 100% perfect in one step.  So don't wait, take some steps that are realistic in your practice and reflect and modify over time as new knowledge and ready availability of products changes.
________________________________________________________________________
 

I also asked if they had  a solution on cat and dog faeces disposal yet, as this is an area I am looking into.

Response regarding Faeces:

"We do not have an answer for the faeces.  Some people with more guts than me have composted it and grew a garden in back of the clinic."

Good to know I haven't missed anything I guess in my  thoughts regarding this but now to find a solution.  Faeces going to landfill is a major problem as it release greenhouse gases during breakdown and  faeces left on the footpath/along dog paths end up in waterways which increase contamination. But becasue of potential contamiantion is shouldn;t go in our greenwaste. 

You will find a possible solution here which I am looking into: http://www.disbin.co.nz/.  Thanks to the generosity of Helen, from Disbin, currently 2 staff offsite and the team onsite are using this system or a variation on it (they have swapped the cardboard bin for a plastic one).  The plan is to put together a research project looking at solutions for dog and cat faeces disposal which includes looking at bacterial, parasitic and protozoal contamination following the bokashi treatment among a number of other things.  If you have any ideas let me know.

I'd also love to hear what you do with your dog and cat faeces.
________________________________________________________________________

Have a great week
Francesca