How green is your pharmacy?

Purpose Climate change has been described as the most significant global health threat of the 21st century. Already, negative effects on human health and well-being can be observed. In 2008, the World Health Organisation urged health sectors to lead by example in undertaking sustainability initiatives to protect people from the effects of climate change. The key finding of the 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change was that “tackling climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century”. The time has come for health professionals to rise to the challenge. Objectives This paper presents the sustainability initiatives implemented in the Pharmacy Department at Western Health. Its aim is to serve as an inspiration to others by highlighting what can be achieved. Findings Western Health Pharmacy Department (WHPD) commenced its sustainability initiatives by developing a 5-year Local Sustainability Action Plan (LSAP). The aim of this plan was to reduce the environmental footprint of the department’s activities. Implementation of the LSAP has included: • Embedding sustainability criteria into purchasing contracts • Adding sustainability principles to the Orientation Manual for new staff • Increasing recycling – have added co-mingled (which includes clean paper and packaging waste), toner cartridges and battery recycling • Reducing energy usage – computers have been turned onto energy-efficient mode and increased vigilance with turning off lights • Reducing paper usage - printer settings now default to double-sided print setting • Replacing disposable crockery and cutlery with china, and purchasing keep-cups for staff • Removing bottled water cooler and having filtered water plumbed into kitchen sink • Education sessions for staff