Earth Day reminds us that we can all look for ways to reduce our footprint on our eco-system. With the desire and requirements for patient safety in our orthodontic office at Tollgate Orthodontics, it is not currently possible to reduce the use of plastics altogether, but we continue to look for ways to continue to provide outstanding patient care while caring for the Earth.
Years ago, we moved to paperless patient records and we continue to look for ways to make technology stand in for processes that generate waste. Tollgate Orthodontics has moved to digital x-rays and digital oral scans so no trash is generated by patient records. We do paperless billing by auto-draft and send text and email appointment reminders to save paper and delivery fuel.
In our office, we’ve changed over our lighting to use only high-efficiency lightbulbs and turn our lights, computers, and heating systems way down when closed to save energy. We recycle empty containers and look to purchase compostable products wherever possible.
Our newest effort is to combat some of the significant but necessary waste that is generated in patient care. We have partnered with TerraCycle US to recycle all of our disposable gloves, thereby keeping them out of the landfill.
Look for our next effort, clear aligner recycling, to be introduced soon at Tollgate Orthodontics!