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Sustainability

Our sustainability project reflects the desire of the practice to operate in an ethically and environmentally responsible manner. We have included a break down of the practices and sourcing policies that we apply and the audit process. It is our belief that many of the most crucial issues regarding complex purchases are often excluded from Green Audits and often what is presented is little more than tokenism. In an attempt to avoid this we have given a break down of our decisions and a commentary on some of the inevitable compromises that occur when finances and ethics collide.

Sustainability Measures
Inputs Outputs

Utilities

Electricity - British Gas Green Tariff
Low energy light bulbs installed where possible
Timers installed on external lighting
Smart Meter installed
Water - Yorkshire Water voluntary meter installed 2005
Low flush toilet installed
Gas - British Gas 		Paper/plastic/metals/glass recycled - Local council
Cardboard / composted- compost bin
Clinic waste collected and incinerated - private service

Energy Reduction

Installation of double glazing where possible*
Increasing insulation in loft space

Purchasing

Paper recycled letter heads, couch roll, hand towels
Ecological detergents, hand soaps, washing products

Banking

Co-operative Bank- Ethical banking

* These windows were uPVC which met the criteria of maintaining the original aspect of the building and providing energy saving requirements within the budget. Given the problems associated with production and disposal of this product it is unlikely that this material will be used again.

Commentary

The majority of these changes were made over the period 2006-2007 and will be reviewed on a yearly basis.

Aims 2007-2008