Littleton Equine Medical Center champions sustainability with reusable totes

Littleton Equine Medical Center, one of the nation’s leading equine veterinary practices, has made sustainability a priority in its operations. Scott Toppin, DVM, one of the practice's current owners, has been an advocate for reducing waste and environmental impact. His leadership has helped establish a culture that prioritizes environmentally conscious decisions, including the adoption of MWI Animal Health’s sustainable tote delivery program.

This culture of sustainability resonates with the team at Littleton Equine, many of whom share a vision of leaving behind a healthier planet. Mallori Beeghly, MBA, RVT, GCOL, Littleton Equine’s Purchasing Manager, described the reusable totes as a small but meaningful step toward reducing their environmental footprint. It goes along with the clinic’s commitment to recycle, turn off lights when not in use, and generally be environmentally conscious about their actions. “It’s important to us to do what we can, where we can, to reduce waste,” Mallori said. “In veterinary medicine, there’s so much that ends up being single use, so the totes are one way we can have a positive impact.”

How reusable totes save time and lower waste

By implementing the sustainable tote delivery program solutions, Littleton Equine has streamlined its operations, lowered costs, and created a more positive work environment for its staff.

1. Reducing unboxing and restocking time

For a busy practice like Littleton Equine, which employs twenty-seven veterinarians, inventory management can be a time-consuming process. Traditional cardboard boxes take significant time to unpack, sort, and break down. Reusable totes eliminate much of that hassle.

According to Mallori, “The time savings is significant. The totes cut the amount of unboxing and recycling time in half. When we do get something in cardboard, the difference in effort is immediately noticeable.” This efficiency allows staff to focus more on patient care and less on tedious administrative tasks.

2. Simplifying waste management

Reusable totes have also simplified waste management at the clinic. Littleton Equine no longer has to deal with overflowing dumpsters, frequent trips to recycling bins, or the logistical challenges of coordinating with recycling services. The transition has made the clinic more organized and reduced clutter in central supply areas.

Mallori explained, “Our recycling bin used to be picked up weekly, sometimes multiple times a week. Now, with the totes, we can get by with pickups every two weeks. It’s made a huge difference in how we manage waste.”

The totes nestle together neatly and protect supplies better than cardboard, creating a cleaner, more efficient workspace. Staff appreciate the improved organization, which makes their day-to-day workflow smoother and more intentional. “Our central supply space is small, so being able to stack the totes without cluttering the area has been a big help,” Mallori remarked.

3. Enhancing staff workflow and morale

The shift to reusable totes has gone beyond efficiency—it has also boosted morale. Staff members have expressed appreciation for the cleaner, more streamlined environment that the totes help create. By reducing tedious tasks and improving organization, the program has contributed to a more positive workplace culture. Less time spent recycling means more time in the barn, treating horses. Getting back to the heart of equine medicine has been a boon for the staff

“The younger staff, especially, appreciate that we’re doing something sustainable,” Mallori noted. “It’s something that aligns with their values, and it’s part of the culture here to prioritize recycling and reducing waste.”

4. Realizing savings and efficiencies

The shift to reusable totes has also delivered financial and operational benefits for Littleton Equine. By reducing waste disposal costs and replacing single-use Styrofoam coolers with reusable alternatives, the clinic has seen a positive impact on its bottom line. The practice has been able to decrease its reliance on external recycling services, which previously generated significant expenses for handling cardboard waste.

Reusable cooler totes have further enhanced the clinic’s operations. “The cooler totes are a game changer,” Mallori said. “Styrofoam coolers take up a ton of space and aren’t recyclable. The reusable coolers save us all that waste and are easy to spot because of their color. On busy mornings, I can quickly grab the blue totes and get items into the fridge right away.”

A change with a big impact 

As one of MWI’s first equine customers on the sustainable tote delivery program, the clinic has benefited from the reliable daily pickup and delivery process, which has become an integral part of its operations.

Mallori praised the smooth process, saying, “The drivers are consistent, which is great because we’ve built relationships with them. They pick up the totes right from our receiving door, and it all runs like clockwork.”

The program has also influenced the clinic’s purchasing decisions. “Honestly, I choose MWI items over other vendors because of the tote program,” Mallori confided. “It’s one of the reasons we keep coming back.”

Reusable totes are more than just a packaging solution—they represent a practical step toward sustainability for equine veterinary practices. By saving time, cutting costs, and reducing waste, MWI’s reusable tote program delivers measurable benefits for clinics like Littleton Equine.

For equine practices looking to improve their operations while aligning with the values of environmentally conscious clients and staff, reusable totes are a simple yet impactful solution. As Mallori put it, “Once you make the switch, you won’t want to go back. The process is easy, and the benefits are clear.”