Table 3 Results (all results given in grams of carbon dioxide equivalents [gCO2eq])

Emailing

Posting

E-mailing an appointment notice vs posting an appointment notice

0.8

10.6

Emailing

Posting

E-mailing a referral letter vs posting a referral letter

4.1

22.2

Keeping and reusing scrap paper

Disposing scrap paper

Keeping and reusing scrap paper used in patient management vs disposing of scrap paper and using new paper

2.8

3.0

Shredding only confidential documents

Shredding all documents

Shredding only confidential documents used in patient management vs shredding all documents

3.2

6.3

Re-using old envelopes

Buying new envelopes

Reusing old envelopes used in patient correspondence vs buying new envelopes

1.9

3.1

Using paper-only envelopes

Using envelopes with plastic windows

Using paper-only envelopes in patient correspondence vs using envelopes with plastic windows

2.9

3.6

Printing and photocopying on double sides of paper

Printing and photocopying on single sides of two separate sheets of paper

Printing and photocopying on double sides of paper used in patient management vs printing and photocopying on single sides of two separate sheets of paper

7.0

10.0

Dual flush

Regular single flush

Using dual flush toilets vs using regular single flush toilets

1.8

4.9

Using water from a rainwater collection

Using water from the mains supply

Using water from a rainwater collection tank vs using water from the mains supply

3.3

33.3

Autoclaving, shredding and recycling used toothbrushes

Incinerating toothbrush waste

Autoclaving, shredding and recycling used toothbrushes vs incinerating toothbrush waste

1.9

47.6

Re-using and sterilising a metal air-water syringe tip

Using a disposable air-water syringe tip at each patient visit

Reusing and sterilising a metal air-water syringe tip vs using a disposable air-water syringe tip at each patient visit

20

58.1

Green Impact Toolkit recommendation

Standard practice

Using running tap water

Using a dishwasher

Using a filled plugged sink of water

Using running tap water vs using a dishwasher vs using a filled plugged sink of water to wash dishes in the staff canteen

10.1

76.7

35.7