8 Steps to Take for Effective Recycling at Work
Does your office take workplace recycling seriously?
Are people constantly throwing things in the wrong bins, using disposable coffee cups, or ignoring recycling protocol altogether?
In this day and age, your office likely has a workplace recycling program—but do they take it seriously? Is it limited? Does your office struggle with the resources or funding to put in an effective workplace recycling program?
If this seems all too familiar to you, we understand the frustration. The good thing is that you can take a few simple steps to save your workplace money and improve its recycling program.
8 Ways to Improve Workplace Recycling
1. Do a Review of Your Workplace Recycling Program
All sorts of materials can be recycled, including more than just paper and bottles. Other materials that workplaces can recycle are:
- Computers
- Cell phones
- Light bulbs
- Printer cartridges
- Batteries
Do a review of your workplace recycling program to see if people are recycling – and if they are, what materials are they recycling?
Are employees aware of the office recycling program? What can you do to promote it and get employees excited about it?
2. Go Paperless
While it may not be possible to go completely paperless in an office, there are things you can do to reduce the amount of paper you use. Ask employees to only print when it is urgent, and encourage them to use recycled paper. In addition, encourage employees to print on both sides of printer paper to cut down on paper use.
Instead of sending communications and announcements on paper, send them through email. Switch all billing to paperless, and encourage employees to follow suit.
3. Recycling Bins
The best way to ensure employees recycle is by introducing recycling bins and stations to the workplace. Doing so will entice employees to make more of a conscious decision about what to do with their waste when they are throwing it out.
When employees learn what they can recycle or compost, they will be more likely to throw their garbage in the right places. As they begin to recycle, the act will become a habit.
Make sure you also strategically place the bins where people can see them (lunchroom, break room, etc.).
4. Reusable Cups and Water Bottles
Did you know that every hour, people throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles? Or that the average worker uses 500 disposable cups every year?
These are huge numbers—and they cannot go unnoticed. When employees use reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, they significantly reduce the waste going into recycling streams. A simple change like this can go a long way.
5. Reminders
It doesn’t hurt to remind people every once in a while. By simply putting posters up around the eating and office areas or putting cards on each table that politely remind people to recycle, you can educate people about the importance of recycling.
Communication goes a long way—and by simply putting up a few reminders, you can remind people of the importance of recycling.
6. Organics
Is your office collecting food waste? If your office hasn’t added organics to its workplace recycling program, it’s time to do so. By adding organics to a recycling program, you can do your part in helping to reduce methane emissions, improve crop growth, and more.
Examples of organic include:
- Teabags
- Food scraps
- Napkins
- Paper towels
- Coffee grinds
7. Create a Reuse Station
A reuse station is a great way to introduce recycling to your office. All you have to do is create an area where employees can take second-hand things like clothes, supplies, toys, or anything else they no longer need.
Other employees can reuse these items themselves, or teams can develop creative ways to reuse the items. It’s an excellent way for people to give back and also brings the office closer together.
8. Incentives
Everyone loves a good inventive! To get people into recycling and help promote your workplace recycling program, offer prizes to the people who recycle the most. Track the progress however you can. When there is a prize or money on the line, people are always excited.
Don’t forget to post the results when you reach your goals—this will encourage other employees to recycle.
Bottle Depots are Doing Their Part - And So Can You!
Recycling reduces the need to harvest or extract raw materials from the earth. As an essential service, your local bottle depot is doing what it can to ensure the community’s health, safety, and environment.
Recycling is critical to ensure the health of our planet. When you organize recycling, you are helping to reduce the amount of waste produced every day.
If you are looking for the best way to get rid of your recycling, you can visit us here or get in contact with us here. If you have any questions or concerns about how beverage recycling works, let us know! We are happy to answer any questions you might have and guide you in the right direction.