Environmental Sustainability Policy

We understand that running a business has an inevitable impact on the environment.
Through the implementation of our environmental sustainability policy, our aim is to reduce the impact that Ridge Referrals has on the environment while still upholding the highest standards of patient care.

What we are currently doing at Ridge Referrals to make a difference

• Our electricity is supplied by a reputable firm who are supporting ‘Net zero’ – helping the UK to hit zero carbon emissions by 2050 with a mix of carbon-free technologies that are key to transitioning away from fossil fuels.
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  We use low energy LED lighting throughout Jubilee Barn to reduce our energy consumption but we also turn off lights whenever possible.
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  We use highly efficient air-conditioning systems but only when necessary for patient or staff comfort, otherwise we ventilate the building naturally whenever possible.
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  We dry our patient bedding and towels outdoors whenever the weather allows us to reduce tumble dryer use.
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  We use low-flow anaesthesia techniques whenever appropriate to keep the anaesthetic agents used to a minimum.
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  We use local anaesthetic techniques to reduce the required depth of anaesthesia and the amount of gaseous anaesthetic agents required.
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  We keep our use of nitrous oxide as an anaesthetic agent to an absolute minimum.
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  Scrub taps are fitted with infrared sensors, ensuring water only runs when the surgeon’s hands are beneath the tap.
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  We use ‘Devon Contract waste’ to collect our business waste – they sort the waste at their specialist facility locally and process actual materials for recycling and manufacturing reuse, they have a ‘zero to landfill’ solution which reduces our regions’ carbon footprint and supports a sustainable business community.
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  As a veterinary practice, we care for our inpatients overnight on the premises, so animals do not need to be transported to other locations. Overnight stays for staff reduce the number of journeys they need to make to and from work.
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  We try to order stock from our veterinary wholesalers only once per week to reduce journeys of delivery vehicles to our site.
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  We reduce unnecessary client journeys by consolidating appointments where possible or asking referring practices (that are usually nearer to the pets home) to provide simple follow up care (eg. Stitches out).
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  We only have a small pharmacy and good stock control helps us avoid medicine wastage.
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  We choose to work with suppliers and contractors who have proven sustainability goals.

Our location
We are very fortunate to be located in an area of outstanding natural beauty and have a large pond woodland and grassed areas which are teaming with wildlife. We leave this area completely wild and it attracts many types of insects and birds all year around.
We have planted new mixed native hedging on site to go along with existing trees and hedging, these areas provide year-round food, shelter and safe travel corridors for birds, insects and small mammals.

Going forwards
We encourage all team members to suggest ways in which we can improve our overall environmental sustainability and continue to work closely with our team, our suppliers and our allied professionals to learn how we can continue to reduce our carbon footprint.
We will continue to strive for further improvement by regularly reviewing our progress and that of the companies that we are associated with.

Small changes can have a big impact over time :)