Environmental Responsibility
Hospitals use a lot of plastics, energy, and water. Medical waste generates significant garbage. There are however a few things we can do to reduce Vancouver Feline Hospital’s environmental footstep.
Air-conditioning
We do not have an energy guzzling air-conditioner built into the HVAC system. OK, this can be hell in summer, but we are using smaller less energy sucking HEPA filter fans to circulate cooler air when and where we need it, and have limited use of smaller energy efficient air-conditioners when necessary.
The big air intake in reception used to have high resistance HEPA and chemical filters; when it came time to change them, we did not replace them. Thus we are circulating more air using less energy with this unit. For infection control, we can selectively use our HEPA filter fans. The smaller HEPA filter fans are cleanable – we do not have to throw them out and replace them every month, significantly reducing garbage.
The engineer who designed the HVAC system placed an in-line heater that could heat the entire block – and used up more energy than we could ever imagine! We disconnected this within the first month, and use smaller, more-energy efficient heaters where and when we need them. We find that the huge transformer in the back of the Hospital keeps the place warm, except reception and the exam rooms.
Cat comfort
The cats are provided with low-energy heating pads if needed in their cozy beds. This allows us to turn off the air-intake and heater fans so they only run when we are present and when we need them.
Window solar protection
The windows have been darkened with protective UV shielding, and UV blinds installed, so as to reduce the summer south-facing greenhouse effect, and for heat retention in winter; significantly reducing our need for cooling or heating in those seasons.
Autoclave
 The autoclave is turned off until used – and we batch autoclave for efficiency. This simple little thing saved us over $150/month in Hydro fees alone – because otherwise it may be hibernating but keeping the autoclave chamber at a cozy 60 degrees Celsius. When running, the autoclave uses a lot of energy.
Lighting
The Hospital has to be well lit. We have been using the energy efficient daylight lights since we opened. They do last a long time, give a better light, but are slightly more expensive. We find that when the lights are on, they heat the whole place up by 2 degrees Celsius. In summer, the brighter months of the year, half the lights are disconnected. In winter, all the lights are connected, but we make the effort to switch off areas not in use.
Laundry
The laundry area is another high energy usage area – we started with 2 separate laundry areas – household and surgery. We got super-efficient low water usage front-loading washer and dryer sets. They used a tablespoon of detergent per wash. After 5 years, we had to replace both sets! We went down to one laundry area – household only. The new washer is top-loading, and uses more water as a result, even if it is labeled energy-efficient. To compensate, we have to do less laundry. We still use very small amounts of detergent. The cats have towels and cozy beds in half the kennels, recycled paper under their litter boxes in the other half. The cozy beds hang dry, so do not use dryer energy. This reduces our household laundry. We went entirely disposable on the surgery laundry, eliminating it altogether. Unfortunately, it is cheaper and more efficient to use all disposable surgical gowns, drapes, pack wraps. This also means we use the autoclave much less as the disposable stuff is pre-sterilized, so we only have to sterilize surgical instruments in hospital.
Dishwasher and hot water
The dishwasher is run only when full. Using a dishwasher, and taking care not to run a partially full dishwasher, uses less energy and water than hand washing the dishes. We like to use only half the amount of dishwashing powder each wash.
We installed a small hot water tank – just enough to meet our needs. This way we do not use the energy to keep a larger volume of water hot all the time.
Computers
Computers are shut down each night, and minimal equipment is left running or hibernating.
Garbage bags and paper products
Garbage bags are a huge item. We are using 100% plant-material compostable, biodegradable bags.
 Paper, toilet paper, paper towels and other consumable products are chosen carefully to ensure they are made from 100% recycled material. We recycle as much as possible.
Problem plastics
We made an effort to reduce plastic wastage. This is a tough one in medical wastage, and no recycling programs are available. Our small Hospital generates a mountain of plastic waste from IV bags, syringe casings, syringes and everything else. All this stuff is supposedly recyclable. We are still looking for available recycling and re-use programs for this stuff.
When you ask for a shopping bag to carry stuff home in, you may be given a pre-used bag. Actually, we like it when you bring your excess shopping bags in for re-use!
Pill containers may be re-used, safely, especially on repeat prescriptions.
Cat Litter
The cat litter we use is made from plant-based material – corncobs. It is compostable, biodegradable, flushable, and hypo-allergenic.
Cleaning and disinfecting
 We use a cleaner, Ecogent, which does not kill fish. This link gives a nice comparison of the concepts. The product website is at http://www.ecogent.ca. This is a nice cleaner for home use as well. At home, we also like the NatureClean products, www.naturecleanliving.com.
The disinfectant we use is not as benign (hydrogen peroxide based), but was chosen because it is hypo-allergenic, and effective against calici virus. The commercial versions are Virox or Peroxiguard.
Furniture
All the furniture was selected to be from sustainable forests.
And finally,
There are probably many more things we can do!
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Environmental considerations
