List of small sustainable changes made at The Village Practice:

Energy

• Smart energy meters installed to avoid energy waste and save on bills
• Swapped all lights to LED sensors so they turn off if no movement detected within 10 minutes (this was not in the practice specification but something the practice asked for as huge energy cost)

Travel

• Encouragement of active travel for staff
• Travel audit
• Lockable bike storage facility (made from recycled materials) 

Patients

• Jayex screen to promote a green agenda message 
• Green agenda on the website 
• Discussion with PPG

Paper

• Switched to recycled paper
• Reduced paper letters/referral letters
• Used flu clinics to update records for any patient who might not have a mobile to email if possible so all communication can go via text/email to avoid printing
• Registrations online - electronic GMS1 forms to avoid paper 
• Set printers to double sided
• Training for staff at reception to create samples for patients to collect (e.g. swabs and urine pots) - the practice found 20% of patients never collected them and then the paper and pots had to be binned (saved the GP's time too) 

Recycling and waste

• Recycled toner using brother printer company to order recycled boxes (they collect 12 at a time free of charge)
• Battery recycling 
• Double bins in all admin and clinical areas (one for waste and one for recycling) 
• Shred it for confidentiality - all goes towards replanting trees 
• Cleaning company using biodegradable packaging and products

Refreshments 

• Coffee, tea and sugar ordered via goodfoodclub which is all ethically sourced and comes in reusable packaging
• Almond and oat milk options for staff 
• Patient water cups swapped to paper using filtered water jug and not a water fountain or plastic bottles