6 tips for a zero waste office
The commitment to take care of the planet is everyone's task, therefore, daily work spaces must have increasingly friendly routines with the environment.
Learn these 6 tips to make your office zero waste:
1. Reuse
Often in the rush of office days, we forget that reusing certain objects can be a great option. This is the case of water bottles made of resistant materials, plastic cups that are not for single use, and even the tupperware where food is carried.
Adopting a conscious use of these containers will allow the office to reduce waste and thus contribute to zero waste. A first step to go in this direction would be to establish water fountains to refill the reusable glass bottles that can be provided to workers at first. In this way you will be avoiding not only vending machines for plastic bottles and soft drinks, but also single-use plastic or cardboard cups.
Another viable option in the corporate world, if you have a canteen, is to be able to take your lunch to your office in a tupper, or take it from home, thus avoiding takeaway food containers.
The use of different containers for the optimal recycling of resources is key in offices, and that is why it is necessary to provide enough waste collection points and make good use of them in their recycling.
2. Changing our mindset on the usefulness of paper
Today, the pandemic has taught us a lot about what is printed inside offices. With the return to face-to-face, it has changed the chip to find out if it is really necessary to print all the information we use. Or, on the contrary, it is better to consolidate zero waste and select which files can be handled on electronic devices and print only what is necessary. Always remembering that reusing paper is also a possible option.
With this change you will notice a decrease in paper waste, which will help to lower the average annual consumption of this resource.
If there is no choice but to print, it is always better to opt for reused paper and pay attention to the corresponding environmental seals that accompany it.
3. Replacing work tools
If we look closely at all the office tools we use, we see that most of them contain high amounts of plastic. In the process to zero waste, it will be important to acquire future work tools that are made of more durable and less polluting materials.
This is the case of paper clips, all-metal scissors, post-its, plastic-free tacks, zero waste glue, metal scissors, and any other element that provides the same function without the excessive and unnecessary use of plastic.
Where to get them?
4. An honest budget
Sometimes office bookcase budgets exceed certain limits of usefulness. Ask yourself if you really need 20 file folders, or if you can use 5 old ones that work and buy only 5 more that will allow you to organize everything. You can also check if you really need so many boxes of paper clips or plastic foils, which may be unnecessary if you have file folders.
Let's reuse what already exists, and when it comes to buying, let's give it a second thought and really think about whether it is necessary or if I can get that item without having to buy it.
5. Produce what is necessary
Although it sounds like a scolding, it is just a suggestion to get offices to start the zero waste process. Business cards, informative brochures or any other advertising resource can generate high amounts of waste in the streets.
That is why the best option is to be able to promote yourself through social networks, websites and other media. If it is very necessary to make the cards, choose the estimated quantity that will cover your demand and always use environmentally friendly paper and materials.
Where can I buy eco-friendly merchandising for my company?
6. Electronic equipment can be repaired
The custom that has been acquired with electronic devices is that once they have a failure, they are replaced by a new instrument. But be careful, if you add up all the electronic waste produced by offices, the amounts per year are exorbitant.
For this reason, it is in line with zero waste to look at the possibility of repairing the equipment that can be repaired and giving it a longer useful life. It is also possible to acquire second-hand devices in good condition, so that they can be used in the office.
And remember that the changes are progressive, it is not about throwing away everything that is currently in the office. Instead, you should start making more conscious and practical purchases that are more considerate of the planet.
Join the fight!
Comments