Rutland House Vets, based in St Helens with branches in Widnes, Gateacre, Haydock, Huyton and Warrington, has been awarded the Investors in the Environment (iiE) Silver Award for its environmental progress.
The award recognises the hospital’s efforts to embed sustainability throughout its operations.
Janie Clare, practice manager and clinical director at Rutland House, said: “The veterinary profession is built on caring for animals, so protecting the environment is a natural extension of what we do every day.
“We understand the close relationship between animal health and the health of the planet, which is why embracing more sustainable ways of working is so important to us.”
The team has made noticeable progress in reducing its impact.
Anaesthetic gas use during procedures has dropped by 17 per cent.
Staff travel between sites is also down by 17 per cent.
Gas consumption has reduced by five per cent.
Employees across the organisation have contributed to initiatives focused on recycling and waste reduction, covering items from paper to clinical materials.
A dedicated sustainability group was created to lead these changes and guide the practice towards iiE accreditation.
Ms Clare said: “Veterinary practices inevitably generate waste as we prioritise the safety of our teams, patients and clients, but that also means we have a responsibility to reduce our environmental impact wherever we can.
“By making practical changes, however small, we can all play a part in creating a more sustainable future.
“Our team has fully embraced our sustainability initiatives, and it’s been fantastic to see everyone working together towards a common goal.
“We’ve had a really positive response from clients and we’re looking forward to building on that support as we continue introducing new ways for our practice and community to make a difference.”
Rutland House is part of VetPartners, which aims to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
The group has introduced Zero Waste Boxes at more than 300 sites across England, Scotland and Wales.
VetPartners’ emissions targets are accredited by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
