We are committed to providing safe, sustainable products that not only protect patients and healthcare workers, but also reduce our impact on the environment.

Reducing our carbon emissions

We're striving to reach Net Zero by 2045, but we know that we can't do this overnight. We've already begun our journey, and here are just some of the steps we've taken:

  • We've reduced our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 750 tonnes, compared to 2021-22.
  • 73% of our company car fleet is now electric or hybrid.
  • We've improved and/or replaced some of our older manufacturing equipment, improving the amount of carbon emissions.
  • We're reducing the amount of printed materials we produce, utilising digital platforms to share our product literature.

Making products as sustainable as possible

Designing, manufacturing, and supplying products that provide the best solution for patients and healthcare professionals, whilst being as sustainable as possible is what we do. Our product innovations include:

  • Our single-use medical pulp is made from 100% recycled cellulose fibres, a byproduct of the paper industry, and is fully biodegradable.
  • We've introduced 100% recycled plastic into our Sharpsafe and Clinisafe container bases, reducing the carbon footprint by 94%.
  • Our cotton wool is manufactured using waste products from the textile industry.
  • We're producing our surgical steel instruments using waste metal from other industries.
  • The Conti Wet and Dry Wipes ranges contain 100% plastic free wipes, which can be safely disposed of in a toilet or macerator, certified by EDANA GD4. 

Our Sustainability Credentials

We have been rewarded as a Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation by The Carbon Literacy Project, and 12 Vernacare employees, including our CEO and COO, are officially Carbon Literate.

 

We assess and report on our ESG performance through EcoVadis, the global leader in sustainability ratings. In our latest report completed June 2023, we earned a Bronze Medal.

We are also certified to ISO 14000.

We are always looking for ways to improve our sustainability efforts

Some of our recent sustainability success stories include:

2,416 solar panels generate 500,000 kWh/yr of electricity at our Chorley facility

2,416 solar panels generate 500,000 kWh/yr of electricity at our Chorley facility

Blackwood delivers zero waste to landfill, utilising high-grade reprocessed material

Blackwood delivers zero waste to landfill, utilising high-grade reprocessed material

Actively involved in the Climate Change Agreement at our Bolton facility

Actively involved in the Climate Change Agreement at our Bolton facility

of recycled celluose fibres to produce pulp

of recycled celluose fibres to produce pulp

is used in Vernacare's maceratable system

is used in Vernacare's maceratable system

is used in macerators than bed pan washers

is used in macerators than bed pan washers

Want to learn more? Contact us

Sustainability Downloads

Vernacare Carbon Reduction Plan March 2023

Find out more about Vernacare

Want to learn more about us?

Discover more about our diverse history, values, training opportunities and partnerships.

Learn more