Kentdale Referrals, in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, has introduced reusable scrub hats for all operating theatre staff, saving around 1,600 disposable hats a year from becoming medical waste.

A leading animal hospital’s new green initiative has helped raise cash for charities while cutting down on medical waste.

Kentdale Referrals, in Milnthorpe, Cumbria, has introduced reusable scrub hats for all operating theatre staff, saving around 1,600 disposable hats a year from becoming medical waste.

The Linnaeus-owned hospital even secured the hats from a supplier that donates part of its income from each order to designated charities.

Hospital director Sharon Murtagh explained: “We specifically went with a company that was set up by a vet and chose designs which meant there was a charitable donation as part of our purchase.

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“So, this simple switch to reusable hats means we have succeeded in raising money for good causes while reducing our environmental impact, which is a real win-win scenario and fits in perfectly with our ethos.”

It’s part of a wider effort to reduce Kentdale’s carbon footprint, as the referral centre works with national organisation ‘Investors in the Environment’ (iiE) to boost its sustainability efforts in line with a unique partnership formed between Linnaeus and the iiE last year.

Sharon said: “At Kentdale, we recognise that all businesses influence the environment in many ways and that’s why we are committed to the constant improvement of our environmental performance.

“We’re currently reviewing all of our practices and behaviours, including our consumption of electricity and water, our use of anaesthetic gases, the waste we generate, transport emissions and our use of raw materials.

“We are proud to be working with iiE and will continue to improve our environmental management system by working towards the green standards they have laid down.”

Ellie West, environmental sustainability lead at Linnaeus, said: “Switching to reusable scrub hats is a great move for Kentdale and, crucially, saves more around 1,600 each year going to medical waste.

“The move is part of a wider focus on sustainability both for Kentdale and Linnaeus, which has a strong focus on quality of care which extends to being a sustainable business and fulfilling our commitments to our clients, associates and communities.”

Kentdale Referrals is a specialist-led practice offering expert services in diagnostic imaging, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, anaesthesia, infection control, orthopaedic surgery, spinal surgery, soft tissue surgery and physiotherapy.

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