I was at my chiropractor and began thinking about how natural his office is.  He uses environmentally friendly products in the office such as biodegradable cleaning products and has natural unstained furniture. He recycles the outdated waiting room magazines and the magazines themselves often have a local focus which may prompt people to participate in community activities.  Even though unused rooms have the lights turned off, there is a dark side. 

There are machines plugged in that draw phantom power and protective paper table coverings that are thrown in the trash along with un-recycled plastic water cups.   Even my earth loving chiropractor has unfriendly habits in the office.

Many of us choose products and services through referrals, location, specialty or reputation.  One other qualifier many of us use is environmental practices.  People use many goods and services daily based on their environmental claims. Generally speaking, if I use a chiropractor or acupuncturist, and choose blindly, I have a good chance of getting an environmentally savvy individual, as those career paths are more “alternative”.  Why shouldn’t I expect a heart surgeon’s practice to have some of the same qualities?  Does the office recycle?  Does the office use eco-products?  Does the practice purchase wind energy?

There will, of course, be things that cannot be placed in any of the 3 R categories (reduced, reused or recycled).  There are things in the medical industry that we must continue to use until we perfect healing with our minds.

I’m not implying that we go back to witch doctors, medicine men and spirit walks.  Simply put, I like knowing that my doctor takes an interest in the environment and his practice’s impact on it.  If this was one of the qualifications listed on Web MD, I’d look for it.