Environmental Sustainability Statement

The UK Climate Change Act 2008 impacts on the whole of the UK, despite the environment being a devolved responsibility for the four countries in the UK. It set out a challenge to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.

Dentistry is facing many challenges to help tackle the problem, particularly around decontamination, waste disposal and the use of single-use plastics.

We are committed to ensuring that we contribute to environmental sustainability through improved energy efficiency and minimising waste production. This environmental sustainability policy applies to all of our work activities.

  • Energy efficiency will be achieved by reviewing how we heat and cool the practice, the equipment that we use (and how we use it) and lighting
  • Water efficiency will be achieved by reducing general consumption and considerate selection of new equipment
  • Waste reduction will be achieved by efficient segregation, reuse and recycling wherever possible and in line with current environmental legislation.
  • Wherever possible we will purchase and use environmentally responsible products for the practice based on criteria including low toxicity or environmental hazard, durability, use of recycled materials, reduced energy and/or water consumption, reduced packaging and ability to be recycled, refilled or refurbished at end of life.
  • The Minamata Treaty aims to reduce the release of mercury into the environment and for dentistry, this involves the phasing out of amalgam use. Mercury can be neurotoxic and teratogenic, it can accumulate as it rises through the food chain and it can also impact the microbiological activity in soil.