Sustainable Practices in Veterinary Medicine: Reducing Waste and Impact on the Environment

Enhancing Sustnability in Veterinary Medicine

In the face of global environmental challenges, veterinary medicine stands as a significant stakeholder with the ability to mitigate its impact and promote sustnable practices. This responsibility spans from pet care activities within our hospitals to broader -animal-environment connections. During the recent 2022 Surgery Summit organized by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, associates from Mars Veterinary Health shared insights on how veterinary practices can reduce their environmental footprint at the operational level.

Limiting Material Waste:

Pet healthcare facilities contribute significantly to waste production through various activities including medical supplies, cleaning materials, food packaging, and paper-based documentation. The principles of reduce, reuse, recycle can be effectively applied in veterinary settings:

1. Minimizing Disposables: Substitute bottled water with distillation units for autoclaving, opt for reusable surgical kits over single-use ones, use gloves only when necessary, and choose refillable products instead of disposables.

2. Digital Transformation: Move towards electronic record keeping and communication tools to reduce paper waste.

3. Reuse Strategies: Reuse medical equipment like sharps contners and textiles such as gowns and mats in an infection control compliant manner.

While reuse offers potential benefits, careful consideration must be given to the logistics of washing and preparing reusable items. Notably, their use may not always align with certn infection control protocols.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Anesthesia:

The environmental impact of veterinary anesthesia is relatively minor compared to healthcare but still poses a significant direct emission challenge that can be addressed through strategic interventions:

1. Optimizing Anesthetic Use: Optimize fresh gas flow FGF rates by considering the patient’s metabolic oxygen needs and ensuring sufficient volume in reservoirs or rebreathing bags.

2. Anesthetic Alternatives: Explore complete intravenous options like propofol, alfaxalone, or ketamine as alternatives to inhalants. This requires careful consideration of the associated costs and familiarity with new techniques among veterinary professionals.

Curbing Antimicrobial Resistance:

Antimicrobial resistance AMR is a serious threat impacting and animal health alike. Responsible stewardship in antimicrobial use can help preserve their efficacy:

1. Enhancing Awareness: Collaborate with partners to understand the scale of antibiotic usage in pets, inform staff about professional guidelines for appropriate use.

2. Client Education: Engage clients on responsible antibiotic use and emphasize the importance of treatment plan adherence.

Sustnability Integration:

Banfield Pet Hospital commits to a holistic approach towards minimizing environmental impact while mntning veterinary care quality. This journey includes data-driven decisions impacting every operational aspect:

• Purchasing

• Transportation logistics

• Antimicrobial usage

As Banfield, an affiliate of Mars Incorporated, we acknowledge our capacity and responsibility to make meaningful changes for the planet's benefit. With a network encompassing over 1,000 hospitals and 19,000 associates nationwide, we are committed to fostering a sustnable veterinary practice that contributes positively to the well-being of pets, people, and the environment.

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