How green is your workplace?

Your rubbish is a resource. By sorting your waste, you will help save both natural resources and energy. But how do you get everyone at work to take responsibility for their waste?

"Find a practical and stylish sorting solution and make sure it’s noticed. Sorting should be easy, otherwise people probably won't bother" says Henrik Lindén

Does it really make sense to sort your rubbish? Absolutely, by separating materials such as paper, plastic, glass and metal they can be recycled into new products and packaging. Some things in our workplace may also contain substances which are toxic, carcinogenic, explosive or highly flammable and can cause serious harm to people, animals and the environment. Batteries, fluorescent lamps, chemicals, old computers and other electronic devices are examples of such hazardous waste.

Clearly marked and coloured bins "What are the needs of your workplace? You need to find a sorting solution that works for your business and that leaves no doubt about what should go where" says Henrik, who recommends using a range of colours.

Recycling points An important factor for the successful separation of waste at source is to make it simple. It should not feel tedious, pointless or unnecessarily time consuming. "It is good to have recycling points in several places, especially if you have a large workplace"

How to recycle at work

Recycling at work is just as important as recycling at home but it’s not always as easy. Make sure your workplace is environmentally conscious by making it as convenient as possible for everyone to REDUCE, RECYCLE, REUSE. There are a number of simple things that both businesses and staff can do to look after our planet without affecting productivity or the bottom line. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

1. Place recycling bins at convenient locations in the office Make sure that anywhere there are communal bins in the office there are also recycling bins.

The most important areas to do this will be the break room and close to any printers or copy stations.

2. Make staff aware of what can be recycled Educate staff about what items can be recycled and which bins they should use. The easiest way to do this is simply by putting clear WRAP compliant labels on the bins themselves. You could also make up a poster to go in kitchens and communal areas that makes it really easy. Make sure cleaning staff are aware of the recycling scheme as well.

3. Think before you print Do you really need to print that document? Often an electronic copy will suffice. Not only will this reduce paper waste but it will help save money on printing and ensure fewer copies of sensitive documents are produced, which will make it easier to manage GDPR. If you do have to print, use both sides of the paper.

4. Reduce consumables Instead of providing plastic cups at the water dispenser and polystyrene cups and plastic spoons for tea and coffee, equip your workplace with reusable dishware and cutlery. Yes, you will need to make an initial investment in these items and perhaps even dishwashers, but it will save you money in the long run, not to mention reduce non-recyclable waste.

5. Use recycled ink cartridges Recycled ink and toner cartridges are better for the environment and more cost effective for your business. Remember to recycle the cartridges you’ve used as well. Remember that recycling doesn’t have to be difficult. Once your recycle-at-work scheme is up and running, it should become second nature to everyone in the office, reducing your impact on the environment and helping you to run a more eco-friendly business.

Conclusion

Workplace recycling is something that many people may view as ‘too much effort’ to coordinate. However, it’s so important! Whether your office is made up of 20 employees or 200, the way you dispose of your rubbish can have a massive impact on our environment. It’s all well and good recycling at home, but you have to remember to carry it through into every aspect of your life.

These are some quick and easy tips that will allow you to protect our environment at the same time as doing your daily work. Read on for some valuable tips on how to encourage recycling in the workplace.

RAISE AWARENESS One of the best ways to boost workplace recycling is to raise awareness about the benefits. If your employees understand the positive impacts on our environment, they’re more likely to make the effort to recycle! You could also inspire them to stop buying single use plastic (such as water bottles in their lunches), but it’s all baby steps.

CLEARLY DIFFERENTIATE BINS Make sure you signpost your recycling bins effectively. Instead of leaving your employees to their own devices, make it very clear what goes in which bin. This could be a poster above the bins that helps them along their journey. This could feel like you’re being too pushy, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

INCLUDE IT IN THEIR TRAINING When you have a new employee, it could be an idea to include the recycle bins in their training. Make it another stop in the tour of the workplace, ensuring that they know exactly where they need to go to do their bit for the world! Give them a small explanation about how and why to do it, and they’ll retain what you tell them.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE One of the best ways to boost your workplace recycling efforts is to do it yourself! As with anything, if your employees see you regularly do something that you preach, they’ll be much more likely to do it themselves. It will also give you a united front, with every member of staff carrying out the same processes.

DISPLAY SIGNS AROUND THE WORKPLACE Promote recycling in the workplace by displaying posters on the walls. This could be above people’s desks or decorating the fridge, subtly urging people to dispose of their waste in a responsible way! If you make these posters look attractive or fun, you could even pass them off as part of your workplace décor.

ENCOURAGE REUSE Make sure your employees are making the most of resources. If something is printed, ask your staff to use the other side either as scrap paper or to use a second time in the printer. This will save paper in the workplace and build a community of prioritising the re-use of materials. This could even carry through into their homelives!

WORK WITH A CHARITY There’s nothing to say you can’t handle workplace recycling on your own but working with a charity could hold you accountable, persuading you to make a more conscious effort. A charity like the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) frequently work with businesses to give them recycling goals to work on together. Will you be carrying these tips into your workplace? Our simple steps could help your employees realise the importance of the recycle bin! Do your part for the environment and make your workplace a united front – a group effort is bound to make a difference.