Greening general practice: A toolkit for sustainable practice

Pinnacle believes in kaitiakitanga or stewardship – the need to care for and protect our resources.

This is why we’ve included ‘a greener environment’ – making better choices for a better future – in our strategy.

The decisions on how to run your practice and the products you choose to use do matter. Individually and cumulatively choices can make a positive difference to the environment – as well as to the health of patients and communities.

We are pleased to promote and share this toolkit, developed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

This toolkit has been developed to help general practitioners (GPs), nurses and practice managers make environmentally responsible changes where possible in the day-to-day running of their practice. It is designed to make these changes as easy as possible and aims for changes that are at least cost neutral.

Included in the toolkit

• Creating a green business plan - It may be helpful to put in place a plan for what actions you would like to take and when, rather than a seemingly random introduction of green practices.
• Championing change in your practice - Tips for creating enthusiasm and buy-in from your colleagues.
• Infrastructure – Energy assessments, office set up, insulation, lighting, heating and cooling.
• Appliances, equipment, office and medical supplies – How to consider the full life cycle of supplies such as light bulbs, computers and appliances and office paper.
• Operational actions – Reducing energy consumption from appliances and computers, reducing paper use, supply chain sustainability and practice policies.
• Clinical actions - Pharmaceutical management and wastage, biohazard waste and cleaning.
• Waste management – Water waste, composting, recycling, hazardous or specialty waste, sale or gifting of unwanted equipment.