The time has come for us all to keep the earth safe for future generations. Make employees aware of how their individual efforts can help to combat global warming, which occurs as a result of carbon dioxide, other air pollutants and greenhouse gases collecting in the earth's atmosphere.
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Recycle bottles and cans
Burning fossil fuels to make electricity is the biggest source of pollution, producing around two billion tons of CO2 annually in the United States alone. By letting people know how their individual effort helps, this could just spur them into becoming greener. For example, rather than putting that empty drinks can in the bin, recycle it, as it saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours!
Similarly, a recycled glass bottle can provide sufficient energy to power your computer for 25 minutes. The energy from a recycled plastic bottle can power a 60-watt light bulb for three hours. When it comes to paper, there's always plenty of waste in every office. It takes 70% less energy to recycle paper, in comparison with manufacturing new paper from raw materials.
When employees learn about statistics such as these, they should be fired up to recycle in the workplace. It can be very simple when the employer provides recycling bins, as there's no excuse to put recyclable waste in the regular dustbin.
Even in smaller offices, you can provide a set of compact recycling bins, with different-coloured lids for the different types of waste, so there’s no excuse to say you don't have enough space.
Get everyone involved
If you're an individual employee and your company isn't currently recycling, you can encourage everyone to get involved. There should already be business recycling bins outside the building that the local council provides. They are emptied by the refuse collectors, who will take your waste to recycling centres. If you haven't been provided with any, contact the local authority and ask for yours.
Get your company's management on side by explaining that having a recycling programme will help the environment and boost staff morale. Everyone can get involved and feel they are doing something positive. Make it a team effort, as this will help the staff members who are not as savvy about recycling as others.
Ask management to decide which bins should go where - for example, if you produce a lot of paper waste, have a larger recycling bin in a prominent area next to the printer or photocopier.
Remove individual bins under the desks, as it's too easy for people to drop their waste into them without leaving their seat. Surveys show that workplaces achieve, on average, a 60% recycle rate when employees dispose of their rubbish carefully.
Know what is recyclable
Make sure everyone knows what they can recycle. Put posters on the office walls, near the recycling bins, with information. The items that can be recycled are paper: including printed paper, notes, unwanted files and used envelopes, magazines, newspapers and cardboard boxes. Around 40% of office waste comes from paper, so this is a must for recycling.
Even larger items can be recycled such as old computers, old phones and printer toner cartridges. As well as putting posters on the walls advising on what to put in the recycling bins, the management could send out an email, asking team leaders to relay the information to each department and individual.
When possible, stipulate that both sides of the paper must be used when printing or photocopying. In the long term, this will cut costs when it comes to buying stationery. Some of this money could even be put into an employee fund to pay for a gift or the office Christmas party.
As a company, make sure your own storage solutions are environmentally friendly. For example, purchase recycled plastic storage containers for bulk storage.
When it comes to your everyday needs, invest in used plastic boxes, crates and containers. This way, you're not becoming part of the problem. The recycled containers are just as durable as new ones and can last a lifetime.
If your corporate New Year resolution is to have a greener workplace, contact Solent Plastics on 01794 514478 to find out more about our recycling boxes and storage bins.