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As veterinary professionals, we stand at the intersection of animal, human and environmental health, playing a crucial role in sustainability. The business case is clear: more than 50% of pet owners would pay more for services at environmentally responsible clinics, and 76% of veterinary staff feel it’s very important that their workplace is environmentally sustainable.
And, we know that plastic pollution directly threatens the animals we care for while accelerating climate change.
Over 99% of plastic is made from fossil fuels, making it a hidden driver of greenhouse gas emissions and therefore climate change. Plastic is currently responsible for 4.5% of global emissions and is projected to reach 21-31% of the global carbon budget by 2050.
Millions of animals die annually from plastic ingestion – from elephants and sea turtles, to cattle and our beloved pets. Microplastics also infiltrate pets’ internal tissues, while toxic chemicals from plastic toys and packaging disrupt reproductive and endocrine systems.
As veterinary professionals, with every plastic-free choice in our practice, we simultaneously protect animal health and take climate action.
Veterinary practices face unique challenges in reducing plastic use. Medical-grade plastics ensure sterility and safety, critical for patient welfare and infection control. Single-use items, such as syringes and gloves, prevent cross-contamination, making wholesale elimination neither practical nor safe.
However, as highly trusted community voices, veterinary professionals can drive systemic change. By demonstrating sustainable practices where clinically appropriate, we encourage suppliers to develop better alternatives and demonstrate to clients that environmental stewardship is compatible with excellent care.
As veterinary professionals, we can lead by example while maintaining our commitment to animal health, proving that sustainability and quality care are mutually reinforcing.
Why: A typical one-litre plastic bottle uses about two litres of water during production, and requires 250ML of oil to produce, and a takeaway coffee cup is lined with a thin layer of polyethylene (PE) plastic or polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic to prevent liquid from seeping through, with plastic lids made from polypropylene or polystyrene.
Given that Australians throw out 2.7 million single-use or disposable coffee cups every single day, and 1 million water bottles are discarded, this is a mind-boggling amount of plastic (and water) waste.
Want to go bigger? Get a coffee machine that uses ground coffee beans rather than pods.
And, consider installing a water filtration system that draws from existing tap water sources and produces distilled water for clinical use.
How: Invest in glass containers and metal bowls for food storage. Check op shops and Buy Nothing groups for budget-friendly options. Or encourage staff to bring in disused mugs, glasses and utensils for the staff kitchen!
Provide teapots and cosies (great finds at op shops) or individual tea strainers. Buy loose-leaf tea and avoid the plastic in tea bags.
Want to go bigger? Set up a team challenge!
Track consecutive days team members go without using single-use (takeaway) coffee cups. Keep the streak going and celebrate milestones!
Why: Recycling plastic bottles can reduce landfill, energy, and prevent the contamination of our land and oceans, protecting our wildlife and environment. Plus, recycling one plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours. For every tonne of plastic recycled, 16.3 barrels of oil and 5,774 kWh of energy are saved (that’s enough energy to charge a Tesla battery more than 100 times).
Want to go bigger? Supercharge your recycling with BRAD by Banish! BRAD helps divert hard-to-recycle office and household items from landfills and responsibly recycles them. It addresses the challenge of problematic waste – items like blister packs, pens and markers, plastic bottle top lids, beauty products, single-use cutlery/cups/soy sauce fishies, and so much more!
How: Request consolidated deliveries, reusable and reduced packaging options, and ask about their recycling programs.
Want to go bigger? Before scheduling any suppliers for a Lunch and Learn, ask them to share their sustainability journey and steps they’re taking to address climate change. Use our email template to help!
The 6 R’s provide a powerful framework for sustainable veterinary practice:
Rethink your purchasing decisions – do you really need that item?
Refuse unnecessary single-use products and freebies that create waste.
Reduce the quantity of materials you use wherever possible.
Reuse items for new purposes rather than discarding them.
Repair broken equipment and supplies instead of immediately replacing them.
Recycle as a final option when items can no longer serve other purposes.
Every plastic-free choice you make in your practice protects the animals we serve while taking meaningful climate action. Start with just one tip from this email – whether it’s bringing your own coffee cup or setting up a container collection for charity.
Remember, as veterinary professionals, we’re uniquely positioned to lead change in our communities. When we demonstrate that environmental responsibility and excellent animal care go hand in hand, we inspire others to follow.
Share this podt with your team and pick one change to implement together this week.
We’d love to hear about your experience – join the conversation online or drop us an email!
VfCA represents vets, vet nurses, vet receptionists, vet techs, animal carers, pet owners and animal lovers like you who want strong and immediate action on climate change. Animals suffer the consequences of climate change without responsibility. Vets and animal carers witness the impacts firsthand and carry the responsibility for biosecurity, food production, and protecting animals from climate change. With your support, we can take action on climate pollution and reduce the risk to the animals we love and care for.
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