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Pathology testing relies heavily on plastics for consumables like blood tubes, syringes, specimen pots, microscope slides and biohazard bags. Unfortunately, there are few ways of avoiding waste due to the nature of such biohazards and the need for their disposal. Therefore, we're excited to introduce Vedi's biodegradable biohazard bags to help vet practices and labs reduce their environmental impact.
An average-sized veterinary practice submits approximately 20 tests to labs per week. Multiply that by the number of practices nationwide, and the scope for reducing plastic waste is immense.
There are many facets to a patient's health record and medical history. A core component of that record is of course pathology. When developing our first pathology lab module on Vedi, we had to reimagine how pathology could be managed, both in the vet practice but also at the lab, and ultimately how the test result will be captured in the health record.
Sourcing our own 'Vedi' consumables was therefor a core part of showing our lab partners our vision for the future by opening up supply lines for them to then run with it moving forward. So in our endeavours to source the various consumables required we came across d2w technology and oxo-biodegradable plastics.
Vedi's oxo-biodegradable bags are part of a suite of uniquely barcoded consumables. In conjunction with Vedi's digital health platform, the consumables are a core part of streamlining how vets and laboratories request and process pathology tests and results for their patients.
While the biohazard bags make up just a part of the larger plastic problem in the pathology space, we're optimistic about the conversations we're having with our lab partners and the positive precedence it sets moving forward.
D2w technology transforms ordinary plastic, at the end of its useful life and in the presence of oxygen, into a material with a different molecular structure. As a result, the plastic is no longer plastic. It becomes a biodegradable material that can be broken down by bacteria and fungi in the open environment, similar to nature's wastes. This process is significantly faster than ordinary plastic degradation.
Vedi's laboratory modules have fast become the staple means of submitting pathology tests to laboratories, enabling veterinary staff to forgo the now redundant, time-consuming paper and form-based submission processes.
These biohazard bags are available to you from participating lab at no additional cost, so if you're a vet practice interested in reducing your environmental footprint, we'd love to chat. Vedi's tools also help practices significantly reduce paper consumption by eliminating forms, certificates, and submission documents.
For those already using Vedi, you'll receive these with your consumable orders — ordered via https://portal.vedi.io
Pet owners increasingly opt for vet practices that prioritise sustainability and meaningful ways to care for their pets while being mindful of the Earth they inhabit. So doing your bit is both great for the environment and business!
Taking innovative steps doesn't always come without their hiccups – here's a note from our CEO on Our Commitment to Sustainability and a small (and plastic-wrapped) confession to make.
Only pay for what you use, no lock-in contracts, cancel anytime.
