Glasslyn Vets has been awarded the EcoMerit Environmental Certification in recognition of their commitment to ongoing environmental improvement. The award recognises that the company has successfully put in place a programme of energy, waste, and water efficiencies to reduce their environmental footprint.

The Certificate relates to Glasslyn Vets two clinics in Bandon and Kinsale, and to its Carbery Vets clinic in Dunmanway. Glasslyn Vets’ environmental improvement plans include reviewing its procurement procedures to establish to what extent environmental considerations inform purchasing decisions, implementing a waste prevention programme, increasing segregation for reuse and recycling, and investigating ways to conserve water.

On receiving the EcoMerit Certification, Kevin O’ Sullivan, Managing Director, Glasslyn Vets said: “I believe this accreditation is a positive start to Glasslyn Vets’ sustainable journey and we are keen to play our part. We want our business to perform in a sustainable way and show others that it is possible to make changes for the better, which will have a positive impact on the environment. We believe vets play an important role in promoting more sustainable farm practices and Glasslyn Vets will continue to implement changes that demonstrates our commitment to environmental improvement”.

The pace of climate change has picked up significantly in recent years. As a community, Irish veterinary practices are steeped in rural life through agriculture and have a finger on the pulse of everyday life in towns and cities too. This unique position enables vets to recognise the role sustainable thinking and action can play in their businesses in the face of this major challenge.

Mike Curran, CEO of XL Vets added “We are delighted to announce that our XLVets Ireland member, Glasslyn Vets in Cork, are the next veterinary practice in Ireland to have achieved an EcoMerit Certification. Glasslyn business principal Kevin O’ Sullivan, a key leader of our sustainability project, is also Chair of XLVets Ireland. Following on from the XLVets Ireland and XLVets Skillnet (Skillnet Ireland) certification last year, Glasslyn joins us with other sites who complete their certification journey in the coming weeks, with more to follow. An EcoMerit Certification commits us to an annual independent audit every year for five years in order to ensure sustainability targets are met in-house.”

Commenting on Glasslyn Vets accreditation Phil Walker, Managing Director, EcoMerit stated “EcoMerit is delighted that Glasslyn Vets has achieved EcoMerit Certification. In so doing it demonstrates its commitment to sustainable practice and in particular to effective environmental improvement, with external support and verification, combined with measurement and monitoring. With this certification, Glasslyn has now become part of the EcoMerit Sustainable Energy Community, whose members have delivered average emissions reductions of over 60% in a 10-year period. We particularly welcome this as part of the XLVets broader commitment to its sustainability journey and look forward to developing our partnership in this regard.“