I’m all about sustainability in the workplace. It’s one thing to talk the talk, but walking the walk? That’s where the real change happens. Below I’ll share some practical insights on reducing waste in your workplace.
First things first, make sure you are recycling everything you can, and recycling correctly. Check with your solid waste providers to make sure you are taking full advantage of what they recycle, and that you’re not trying to recycling more than you’re actually allowed (known as wishcycling).
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to get creative. Find ways to reduce waste in the first place – can you get rid of paper by digitizing your operations? This way you save money by reducing the paper you purchase, and reduce the waste created by printed paper. This is a no-brainer for the trees and our environmental footprint. Do you have disposable dishes in your breakroom? Consider converting these to reusable dishes. It might seem small, but over time, the amount of waste you can eliminate is nothing short of impressive.
Consider introducing an employee courtesy recycle program that goes beyond just soda cans and paper. Broken gadgets, spent printer cartridges, tired batteries, lonely plastic bags, and even office supplies—all can get a second lease on life. Look for programs in your area where you can recycling these items on your employees’ (or coworkers’) behalf.
If your region does not have curbside composting collection, look into creating a grassroots composting initiative, where you can turn food scraps into garden gold. If your office produces coffee grounds, or fruit and veggie scraps, these can be composted – see if any employees would like to take these for their home composter.
is power, so consider offering sustainability training sessions, watch parties, and lunch & learns. Ever shared popcorn over a documentary on climate change? It’s a game-changer. You could write an internal blog with eco-tips and information.
If you’re thinking this is all super complicated, let me share a secret: creativity is your golden ticket in sustainability. Dive into your local scene. When we did some digging, we discovered a company revamping plastic bags into outdoor furniture, and a clothing manufacturer hungry for our old reusable bags. Don’t forget electronic waste; local recyclers will take this off your hands – everything from clunky monitors to batteries.
Remember, your colleagues may have some sustainability hacks as well. Someone out there knows where to take those glass jars piling up or might be just waiting for you to start a compost bin. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill services you’ll find at the drop of a hat—but with some searching and diligence, you will find the resources you need.
So, take this as your invite to get your hands dirty (figuratively, of course) and make your workplace a beacon of sustainability. It’s a collective journey—let’s transform our workspaces, inspiring one recycled notepad, one compost heap, and one eco-friendly swap at a time.
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