Table 1.

Functional units

Functional unit		Green Impact Toolkit recommendation
1	Emailing correspondence from the practice associated with one patient	Emailing an appointment notice versus standard practice: posting an appointment notice Emailing a referral letter versus standard practice: posting a referral letter
2	Paper use associated with one patient	Keeping and reusing scrap paper used in patient management versus standard practice: disposing of scrap paper and using new paper Shredding confidential documents used in patient management versus standard practice: shredding all documents Reusing old envelopes used in patient correspondence versus standard practice: buying new envelopes Using paper-only envelopes in patient correspondence versus standard practice: using envelopes with plastic windows Printing and photocopying on double sides of paper used in patient management versus standard practice: printing and photocopying on single sides of two separate sheets of paper
3	Water consumed in toilets in a patient visit	Using dual flush versus standard practice: using regular single flush toilets
4	Water used in the practice during a single patient visit	Using water from a rainwater collection tank versus standard practice: using water from the mains supply
5	Managing the waste from a toothbrush from a patient	Autoclaving, shredding and recycling used toothbrushes versus standard practice: incinerating toothbrush waste
6	Air-water syringes used in a single patient visit	Reusing and sterilising a metal air-water syringe versus standard practice: using a disposable air-water syringe tips at each patient visit
7	Water consumed in washing dishes in staff canteen per patient visit	Using running water versus using a dishwasher versus standard practice: using a filled plugged sink to wash dishes