Level up your Office Recycling
Recycling tips for your workplace
Businesses of all sizes are taking steps to save resources from landfill. These businesses acknowledge their responsibility in tackling Australia’s waste problem. Did you know that businesses alone generate 400 Sydney Opera Houses worth of waste each year?
Recycling programs and other waste reducing efforts not only benefit the environment but also help companies save money, attract new customers, and engage employees.
Here are some strategies to boost recycling in your workplace:
Strategically place recycling bins:
Where you position your recycling bins can significantly influence participation rates. Studies indicate that people are more likely to recycle when bins are conveniently placed, especially near general waste bins. If a recycling bin is more than five metres from a waste bin, the recycling rate drops significantly. Additionally, consider setting up a tricky recyclables bin for items like soft plastics, e-waste, batteries, coffee cups and more.
Promote your recycling initiatives:
Visibility is crucial to maximising the effectiveness of your recycling program. Placing clear signage near bins can help eliminate confusion, especially for less obvious recyclable items like soft plastics or coffee cups. Publicly sharing your workplace's recycling achievements—or areas needing improvement—can motivate employees. With RecycleSmarts live dashboard, you can instantly view your business’ impact at a glance, including the weight collected, what items have been collected and how much CO2 is avoided by recycling. Tracking statistics, like comparing the amount of general waste versus recycled materials, can be an effective way to engage your team.
Introduce incentives:
Encourage participation by offering credits for the RecycleSmart service as employee perks or recognition for recycling efforts. You could also host monthly or quarterly competitions between departments to see who can recycle the most, with prizes like sustainable products, a team lunch, or even a donation to an environmental charity. Recognition in company communications or during meetings can also boost motivation.
Set up a swapping station:
Recycling goes beyond discarding items—it’s also about repurposing goods that are still functional but no longer needed. Establishing a swapping station in your workplace, like a shared shelf or cabinet, can encourage employees to reuse items such as staplers, binders, or monitors. Make sure to provide clear guidelines so that only working items are left in the area, and remind staff to check here before ordering new supplies.
Sources:
Rachel Ridley (2023) 'How much waste does Australia generate and where does it go? By Rachael Ridley' Planet Ark, https://planetark.org/newsroom/news/how-much-waste-does-australia-generate-and-where-does-it-go