Lanes Vets driving up recycling with care and sustainability at heart

Lanes Vets, with surgeries in Preston, Lancaster and Poulton in the north-west of England, has been looking after animals for many years, building trusted relationships with pet owners, farmers and their communities.

This environmentally-conscious veterinary practice definitely walks the talk. This commitment to sustainability, especially in reducing their carbon impact as well as measuring and optimising all the waste they produce has earned them the Green Level accreditation by Investors in the Environment, the highest recognition the organisation gives deserving businesses.

Like any busy veterinary practice, their daily work generates a steady flow of waste, from packaging and general waste to food scraps and bottles. When the Simpler Recycling reforms came into effect in early 2025, the team needed a system that not only kept them compliant, but also lived up to their own values of care and responsibility. With SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, they looked towards recycling more, keeping costs under control and setting efficient waste collection processes that their staff didn’t have to worry about.

The SUEZ team worked with Lanes Vets to put in place a straightforward, reliable service covering dry mixed recycling (DMR), general waste, food and glass. We introduced clear segregation systems and practical signage across all surgeries, so staff could see at a glance what goes where. Regular collections ensure bins are managed properly, giving the practices confidence that their waste is handled without fuss.

With disposal routes that prioritise recycling and reduce landfill, the solution is designed to push their recycling rates higher year on year. Importantly, we also helped Lanes Vets keep their contract on budget, even matching competitor quotes, so they can meet their sustainability goals without adding extra pressure on costs.

By taking the complexity out of waste management, we gave the teams more time to focus on what matters most – caring for animals.

The partnership has already delivered measurable improvements. In the last 12 months alone, 41% of the total waste collected across all surgeries was recyclable material, up from 33% at the start of the contract. This means 5.88 tonnes of materials were recycled in 2024, compared with just over two tonnes in 2021.

The introduction of separate food and glass collections, in line with Simpler Recycling, has further improved segregation and will help the practices move towards a recycling rate of 50% or more. Staff now have posters at each site to guide them through the different waste streams, making recycling easier and cutting the risk of contamination.

These improvements reflect more than just compliance. For Lanes Vets, responsible waste management goes hand in hand with caring for animals, supporting their communities and the environment around them.