Did you know health industries are the amongst the worst environmental polluters? From air and water pollution to the huge volumes of physical waste produced. In a rather short-term view, most health care is aimed at doing what is best for you, the patient at this exact moment, and usually at the lowest cost to the health care facility. Unfortunately, this cost is often passed onto the environment instead. Understandably, there has been a shift towards single use products to prevent cross infection. In a dental setting, this means a move towards plastics, which at the end of your appointment get thrown in a bin, these are treated as contaminated waste and therefore cannot be recycled. We’ve adopted some strategies to try and minimise our detrimental impact on the environment:
- If we can use glass, steel or paper instead of plastic, we will
- We invested in a state-of-the-art equipment that reduces energy and water consumption
- We try to be as paper-free as possible, forms are on a tablet instead of being printed
- Our printed flyers and advertising are on recycled paper, delivered on foot and are recyclable.
These are all conscious decisions that have been made whilst setting up the practice; usually at an extra financial cost, but it is an issue that is important to us and we are trying to reduce our footprint. Please be sure that we will never compromise the safety of our patients or staff because your health is paramount to us.
Things that you can do to help reduce your impact:
- Bring your dental packaging for recycling through the Colgate Teracycle program – feel free to collect and bring in your toothpaste tubes, floss containers, tooth brushes and electric toothbrush heads.
- Opt for natural materials such as bamboo toothbrushes and natural floss alternatives.
- Choose reminders of check-ups and appointments through text or email, instead of by post, which has print and transportation emissions
Remember: looking after your environment will have a positive outcome for your health long term.