Greener Practice at leyburn Medical Centre

At Leyburn Medical Practice, we are committed to making a positive difference in our local community — and that includes reducing our environmental impact.

The climate crisis is the greatest public health challenge of our time, and we believe healthcare must lead by example in building a healthier, more sustainable future.

Why it matters

The NHS contributes 5.4% of the UK’s carbon emissions. As a healthcare provider, we recognise our responsibility to act.

That’s why Leyburn Medical Practice is a registered Green Practice, working towards our Bronze Award — a national recognition of our ongoing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

Our 10 Greener Pledges

We've made 10 pledges to support a greener future:

1. Cutting down on paper use
• Only print when absolutely necessary
• Prioritise electronic communication (e.g. prescriptions, documents)
• Use double-sided printing whenever possible
2. Reducing single-use plastics
• Use re-usable PPE and sharps bins
• Follow updated clinical guidance to reduce unnecessary glove use
3. Reusing where we can
• Repurpose or donate unused office and medical equipment
4. Recycling across the practice
• Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, and plastics
• Support inhaler and medicine packaging recycling via local schemes
5. Prescribing with the planet in mind
• Where clinically appropriate, switch to lower-carbon medication options (e.g. certain inhalers) — one of the most impactful changes we can make
6. Encouraging greener travel
• Promote cycling, walking, and electric vehicle use for staff and patients
• Install bike racks and electric car charging points
7. Smarter waste disposal
• Join local initiatives to reduce carbon and cost through improved disposal practices
8. Joining the Greener Practice movement
• We're proud to be part of a growing network (currently just over 1,000 UK practices) tackling waste and carbon emissions in primary care
• We'll regularly review progress and explore innovative new ideas
9. Greener NHS champions
• Appoint dedicated team members to lead sustainability initiatives within the practice
10. Engaging our community
• Share updates with patients on our progress
• Invite you — our local community — to get involved

Join us in going greener

We believe real change happens when we work together. By making small but meaningful changes in how we work and care for you, we hope to contribute to a healthier future for all.

Have ideas or want to get involved? Please speak to our team or join our Patient Participation Group to share your voice.

At Leyburn Medical Practice, we are committed to making a positive difference in our local community — and that includes reducing our environmental impact.

The climate crisis is the greatest public health challenge of our time, and we believe healthcare must lead by example in building a healthier, more sustainable future.

Why it matters

The NHS contributes 5.4% of the UK’s carbon emissions. As a healthcare provider, we recognise our responsibility to act.

That’s why Leyburn Medical Practice is a registered Green Practice, working towards our Bronze Award — a national recognition of our ongoing efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

Our 10 Greener Pledges

We've made 10 pledges to support a greener future:

1. Cutting down on paper use
• Only print when absolutely necessary
• Prioritise electronic communication (e.g. prescriptions, documents)
• Use double-sided printing whenever possible
2. Reducing single-use plastics
• Use re-usable PPE and sharps bins
• Follow updated clinical guidance to reduce unnecessary glove use
3. Reusing where we can
• Repurpose or donate unused office and medical equipment
4. Recycling across the practice
• Recycle paper, cardboard, glass, and plastics
• Support inhaler and medicine packaging recycling via local schemes
5. Prescribing with the planet in mind
• Where clinically appropriate, switch to lower-carbon medication options (e.g. certain inhalers) — one of the most impactful changes we can make
6. Encouraging greener travel
• Promote cycling, walking, and electric vehicle use for staff and patients
• Install bike racks and electric car charging points
7. Smarter waste disposal
• Join local initiatives to reduce carbon and cost through improved disposal practices
8. Joining the Greener Practice movement
• We're proud to be part of a growing network (currently just over 1,000 UK practices) tackling waste and carbon emissions in primary care
• We'll regularly review progress and explore innovative new ideas
9. Greener NHS champions
• Appoint dedicated team members to lead sustainability initiatives within the practice
10. Engaging our community
• Share updates with patients on our progress
• Invite you — our local community — to get involved

Join us in going greener

We believe real change happens when we work together. By making small but meaningful changes in how we work and care for you, we hope to contribute to a healthier future for all.

Have ideas or want to get involved? Please speak to our team or join our Patient Participation Group to share your voice.