Friday, November 1, 2013

Recycling for a greener office


by Monica Green


If you are hoping to make your office into a more eco-friendly workspace, a very good way to start is with your recycling policy. Without a major investment of time or money you can make some very positive changes which will not only benefit the environment, but will also be welcomed by your employees and clients.

A principal argument in favour of recycling is that it reduces the need for landfill sites. Dumping rubbish in the ground takes up space which could otherwise be better used for agriculture or building, and it can cause pollution to the air and also to rivers and streams.

In addition to reducing landfill, recycling also cuts down on the demand for the raw materials (such as metals) used in industrial production. Manufacturing processes which use recycled materials are also more energy-efficient, so require less fuel. This means a saving of fossil fuels and also fewer carbon emissions, and therefore less greenhouse gases.

The potential for recycling extends far beyond paper, although of course this is a big component of the waste produced by most offices. But all workplaces also throw out plenty of cardboard, glass, cans and plastic bottles, and these should also be considered for recycling, as should batteries and printer renewables.

You are likely to find a number of recycling contractors locally, and you should consider the options carefully before making a choice. A good contractor should be able to accept different kinds of waste paper, for example, in the form in which you produce it.

It is important also to give some thought to the practicalities of recycling. Will the contractor be collecting materials from the office, and if so, how often? Waste can be bulky and you will need somewhere to store it. If you will be delivering the waste, ensure that the time and distance involved is not prohibitive.

If your office produces quantities of confidential waste you will need to consider how to incorporate its disposal into your recycling strategy. Shredding it on site may not be the best way; bear in mind that there are specialist firms which will shred papers securely and then recycle them.

To be successful your recycling strategy will need to involve the whole of your workforce. It is best to involve everybody in planning for change wherever possible, and to provide information, support and training so that the new practices are understood.

It is worth remembering that adopting a green approach to waste disposal can make good business sense in addition to being good for the environment. Companies which have environmentally sound business practices are seen as demonstrating corporate responsibility, and this is attractive to customers, as many leading brand names have demonstrated.

It's not difficult to start working out a new office recycling policy, and the results can be good for your company as well as the environment. Your workforce and your customers will appreciate your efforts and you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you are acting responsibly.




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