At Eye Vet, we take sustainability seriously as part of responsible clinical practice. We recognise the close links between animal, human, and environmental health, and we know that veterinary care has an environmental impact through energy and water use, travel, procurement, waste, medications, and anaesthetic gases.

As a specialist referral practice, our aim is to reduce that impact where we can, while maintaining high standards of patient care, safety, and clinical decision-making. We recognise that some aspects of veterinary care are inherently resource-intensive, and patient welfare will always take priority. Our aim is to improve what we can, where we can.

We aim to make practical, evidence-based improvements in the areas where our work has the greatest environmental impact. These include:

Energy and resource use

Reducing unnecessary use of energy, water, paper, fuel, and other resources, including the use of LED lighting where possible and thoughtful day-to-day resource use within the practice.

Waste reduction

Reducing waste where this is practical and safe to do so, including limiting unnecessary packaging, reducing avoidable single-use items, improving recycling, and choosing materials with a lower environmental impact where suitable alternatives exist.

Medicines and clinical materials

Supporting the responsible use of medicines, particularly antimicrobials and parasiticides, while minimising unnecessary drug wastage and ensuring safe disposal.

Travel and service organisation

Organising consultations and procedures as efficiently as possible, including facilitating same-day surgery in selected cases where clinically appropriate and scheduling permits, which may reduce repeat journeys for owners. We also continue to provide out-clinics in other locations where possible, helping to reduce travel distances for some clients.

Procurement

Sourcing equipment and supplies more locally where suitable options exist and working with suppliers who share a responsible approach to sustainability.

Our local environment

Taking small practical steps to support biodiversity around the practice, including pollinator-friendly planting and simple wildlife-supporting features.

We also want sustainability to be part of how we think and work as a team, by improving awareness of the environmental impact of clinical practice and encouraging practical ideas for reducing waste and improving efficiency.

This is an ongoing process rather than a fixed endpoint. We will continue to review our practice, identify realistic improvements, and consider environmental impact in our decision-making where possible and appropriate. We also continue to learn from organisations working in this area, including Veterinary Sustainability Network Ireland, a not-for-profit organisation advocating for environmental issues within the veterinary industry in Ireland, whose resources and advocacy help inform our approach. 

If you would like to know more about our approach, we are always happy to discuss it.