Waste separation at the office

Waste separation at the office has more benefits than you might think. Of course, it’s good for the environment, and certain waste streams must be separated by law. But did you know that it can also strengthen your company financially? On this page, you’ll learn more about waste separation at the office, plus some tips to make it as efficient as possible.

Why Separate Waste at the Office?

Offices generate a lot of waste daily. Among this waste are valuable materials that can be reused thanks to waste separation. This reduces the need for new raw materials and energy to produce new products, and less general waste ends up in incinerators. In addition to being environmentally friendly, companies are required to separate certain waste streams. This applies, for example, to paper/cardboard and plastic film, both of which are commonly used in offices. A company simply cannot function without a solid waste management policy.

What’s in it for my company?

But waste separation isn’t just a legal obligation—it’s also beneficial for your business. By sorting waste, your company produces less general waste and saves on waste disposal fees. Since waste separation with sorting bins is highly visible, it also positively impacts your company’s sustainable reputation and employee loyalty! It’s been proven that employees have higher satisfaction at companies that are committed to sustainability.

3 Tips to Make Waste Separation at the Office Easier

If you’re planning to start waste separation at the office, it can sometimes be tricky to know where to begin. The following tips will help you get started.

1. Map Out the Waste Streams

   Offices generate various waste streams, such as paper and cardboard, plastic film, small chemical waste, and organic waste. It’s neither efficient nor practical to have a separate bin for each waste stream. Instead, identify the most common waste types in your organization and take this into account when choosing a suitable collection system.
   
   
   

2. Choose the Right Waste Bin for Your Office

   When selecting a waste sorting bin with multiple compartments, you can decide which compartment to use for which waste stream. Base this decision on your office’s waste audit, and choose compartments for the most common waste categories. In most offices, paper and plastic will be among the largest waste streams, but the rest depends on the nature and culture of your company. Do your employees prepare fresh lunches every day? Then you’ll probably need an organic waste bin. And if everyone drinks from paper coffee cups, you can collect them separately using a cup holder in your waste bin. You can always start with a trial placement to determine the best solution.
   
   

3. Avoid Unnecessary Waste at the Office

   The less waste you produce, the less you have to throw away, and the less you’ll ultimately pay in waste disposal fees. It’s worth reducing the amount of waste at the office as much as possible. For example, ask yourself if every document really needs to be printed, and switch from disposable cups to reusable mugs. Also, try to buy sustainable products with a longer lifespan.

Curious about the most common mistakes in office waste separation? Read more in our blogs!