Managing waste effectively is a major responsibility for any modern business. Not only does a clean office help keep staff healthy, but it also demonstrates to your clients that your company cares about sustainability. But just sending your staff to recycle isn’t enough. The process needs to be made easy and efficient, and proper tools must be provided. The first and most important step in developing a successful sustainability program is to pick the right waste containers. With the following simple tips, you can easily select the best option for your office layout this year.
Assess Your Daily Waste Volume
Before purchasing any new containers, you must understand exactly what type of waste your team produces every day. There will always be lots of cardboard boxes and printed paper documents in a busy corporate office. Conversely, a staff breakroom will generate mostly empty plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and food scraps. A waste audit will help you to understand what you are buying. If your workplace generates large amounts of commercial waste and you need durable solutions, you can find bins here that are specifically designed to handle heavy daily use. Matching your containers to your specific waste output prevents overflowing trash and keeps your workspace perfectly clean.
Select the Right Size and Shape
After determining the materials being thrown away, the next step is to select the proper container size. Large bins in a small reception area will not only be a waste of floor space, but they will also be an eyesore for visiting clients. On the other hand, if the small bins are located in a manufacturing facility with lots of activity, garbage will be spilling by noon. Before shopping, it’s important to take the space available in your home into account. Slim containers are ideal for a narrow office corridor, large containers for loading docks and active corners in the cafeteria.
Use Clear Color Coding and Labels
Daily confusion is the biggest enemy of any successful office sustainability program. When it’s hard for employees to distinguish between the paper container and the plastic container, they’re bound to put their trash in the wrong receptacle. This cross-contamination ruins entire batches of good materials. To prevent this widespread issue, you’ll want to get containers that have very distinct colour coding. There are a number of companies that use blue paper and yellow mixed plastics. Also, if large and simple picture labels are attached to the front of each container, this will ensure that everyone knows where their particular trash belongs.
Place Bins in Strategic Locations
No container, no matter how well made, will be full if it is stored in a dark supply closet. The most important element to ensuring positive behavior from your employees is convenience. New containers can only be located in high-traffic zones where waste is made. Have paper sorting bins next to the communal printer/copier. Set plastic and glass sorting containers next to the breakroom refrigerator. Whenever you place a regular trash can in a room, place a recycling container right next to it so your employees always have a clear choice.
Conclusion
A good daily waste management program doesn’t have to be a complicated or costly initiative. Making a couple of extra minutes a day to review your output, pick the right sizes, and apply clear visual labels will greatly enhance your office’s sustainability. You can make it easy for all your staff to join the program by making it strategic. Follow these simple steps to quickly upgrade your office waste system and build a greener workplace for your entire team today.
