The Benefits of Recycling in the Workplace

Implementing recycling in the workplace provides a range of advantages, including reducing single-use plastics and enhancing job satisfaction, making it an essential practice for businesses of all sizes. Here are more compelling reasons why workplace recycling is so important:

• Saves energy and bills: Recycling uses less energy than producing items from raw materials, leading to lower utility bills. For more tips on saving money, check out our guide on reducing energy in the office.
•  Promotes company values: Recycling demonstrates a company’s commitment to sustainability, improving public perception and attracting eco-conscious customers.
• Reduces landfill waste: By diverting materials from landfills, you help minimise environmental impact and contribute to a cleaner, healthier ecosystem.
• Preserves natural materials: Reusing materials through recycling conserves vital resources such as water, timber, and minerals.
• Encourage employee engagement: A recycling culture fosters employee involvement, enhances job satisfaction, and reinforces shared environmental values.
• Mitigates single-use plastics: Single-use plastics, such as bottles, are a significant environmental concern. Installing water dispensers in the office can help reduce reliance on plastic bottles and contribute to your company’s waste reduction efforts. BRITA, for example, is dedicated to reducing plastic use by 30% by 2025 using bio-based materials and sustainable packaging practices, helping businesses lower their environmental footprint while maintaining product quality.

In addition to conserving resources, recycling reduces the need for energy-intensive processes like extracting raw materials, cutting global CO2 emissions by an estimated 700 million tons annually. Every time we choose to recycle or reuse, we contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and supporting a more sustainable future.

For a workplace recycling program to be successful, employee engagement is key. It’s important to create a sense of shared responsibility and make recycling an easy, enjoyable part of the daily routine.

• Use internal communications: Your employees need to be aware of changes as early as possible, so spread the word via emails, newsletters, and social media.
• Make it fun: Hosting competitions between departments and floors creates incentives and encourages participation.
• Explain the broader impact of their actions: Helping employees understand the larger-scale benefits of their recycling efforts can motivate them to participate. Use relevant statistics and data to strengthen your message and make it more persuasive.

How to implement a recycling programme in the workplace

Another factor to consider is getting your employees to stick to a recycling scheme. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Use colour-coded bins: Clearly label bins with different colours to indicate what materials should be disposed of in each, making recycling easier and more intuitive for everyone.
• Place bins in high-traffic areas: Position recycling bins in convenient locations like break rooms, near printers, and in common areas to increase usage and accessibility.
• Provide clear guidelines: Create easy-to-understand posters or digital guides that explain what can and cannot be recycled. This helps reduce contamination and confusion. For more information, read our comprehensive guide on single-use plastic.

Common recycling mistakes in the office

BRITA is committed to addressing the issue of single-use plastic by actively raising awareness and promoting sustainable alternatives. Through their partnership with Keep Britain Tidy, BRITA is working to reduce household waste by encouraging small changes that have a big impact.

In Europe, it is estimated that each citizen wastes 4.8 tonnes a year, and only 49% of that is recycled. This highlights the need for better recycling practices, especially in the workplace. Here are some common recycling mistakes to avoid:

• Contamination: Items like food waste, liquids, or non-recyclable materials mixed with recyclables can ruin entire batches. Ensure items are cleaned and sorted properly.
• Recycling black plastic: Black plastic is often not recognised by sorting machines, leading it to landfill. It's better to avoid or reuse black plastic packaging whenever possible. You can delve further into this issue with our story about plastic pollution.
• Not reusing bags: Single-use recycling bags contribute to waste. Reuse bags where possible; you can even hang some reusable shopping bags in the workplace.

Adopting a recycling program in the workplace not only promotes sustainability but also strengthens your company's reputation. With clear guidelines and accessible bins, recycling becomes a seamless part of your daily operations.

Additionally, you can explore Brita’s commitment to the environment with our return and recycling policy.