70+ Ideas for Reducing Waste at Work
Office "waste" can be a lot of different meanings - from the water bottle or coffee cups that we throw away every day, to printing documents and the paper waste that we create.
Office waste is a big problem. The EPA estimates that the average American will produce about 5.91 pounds of trash each day. Much of that is created while at work. Not only is this bad for the environment but millions of dollars are lost each year by businesses due to office waste.
While it may be difficult to reach zero waste, there are many things we can do to create less waste in the office through effective office waste management.
Then you'll not only have a positive impact on the environment and improve your company's ESG score but also save money and increase efficiency.
Getting started with Zero Office Waste Management
Make it measurable
Start by tracking your waste and measuring it. Use a metric to measure how much paper, plastic, etc., is put in the trash each day. This will help you define a baseline of where you are right now and then set goals for yourself.
Set a baseline
For new initiatives, the first step is to establish a baseline of where your company stands. Conduct a waste audit to gauge how much waste your office creates and what type it is. This will help you track your progress and see which areas need more improvement.
Set reduction targets
Once you have a baseline, set targets. These targets should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Engage your team
Engaging employees is crucial to the success of any workplace waste reduction program. Employees are your best resource when it comes to identifying wasteful practices and finding ways to reduce them. Form a green team who are passionate about the environment and who will champion reducing waste in your office.
Implement waste reduction strategies
There are many different ways to reduce your office's environmental impact. This list will get you started with over 70 waste reduction ideas.
Monitor progress and adjust as needed
It's important to monitor your progress toward waste reduction targets and make changes as needed. You may need to try different strategies or adjust targets if you're not seeing the results you want.
Here are 70+ office waste reduction tips to green up your office. Let's go!
70+ measurable ways to reduce waste in your workplace
There is a wide range of ways you can reduce waste in your workplace. The most effective approach for your company will vary depending on your specific industry, business, and your team.
Here are some ideas popular with other businesses:
Reduce single-use plastics
The environmental impact of single-use plastics is well-documented such as plastic wrap and plastic bags. They take hundreds of years to break down, pollute our oceans, and endanger wildlife. Many businesses take the following steps:
Provide employees with their own reusable water bottles and reusable mugs. Eliminate disposable ones and bottled water from the break room
Provide reusable plates and utensils and eliminate disposable ones
Eliminate other single-use plastics, like straws, and single-serve coffee creamer pods
Centralize trash bins to cut down on plastic bin liners
Purchase office supplies that have minimal packaging or are made from recycled materials
Purchase in bulk to avoid excess packaging
Provide food in-house on reusable plates or encourage employees to bring their own lunch in reusable containers rather than buying disposable packaging from a restaurant or cafe
Reduce electricity consumption
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average office worker uses about 10,000 BTUs of energy per day, which is equivalent to 1,000 watts or 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh).
If your company has 1,000 in-office workers, that’s 1 million kWh of energy used every workday. The majority of this energy is used to power office equipment, like computers, printers, and lights.
Reducing the amount of energy your office consumes can save you money on your utility bills and help reduce your company’s carbon footprint. Here are some top tips for reducing energy.
Use natural light whenever possible. Open the curtains or blinds to let in sunlight during the day
Turn off lights and electronics when they’re not in use
Use energy-efficient light bulbs, like LED bulbs
Set up computers and monitors in “sleep” mode when they’re not being used
Take advantage of power strips to easily turn off multiple electronics at once
Set up an “unplugged” area in the office for employees to take a break from electronics
Encourage employees to telecommute or work from home periodically
Purchase office equipment that has an ENERGY STAR rating
Set the temperature on the office thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer
Install motion sensor light switches in areas that aren’t used often, like storage rooms or bathrooms
Keep windows and doors closed to prevent heat or air conditioning from escaping
Use a fan instead of air conditioning when possible
Reduce food waste
Food loss and organic waste are major contributors to climate change. Every year 1.3 billion tons of food go to the landfill instead of feeding people. This creates $1T in economic costs, $700B in environmental costs, and $900B social billions in social costs. A great alternative is waste diversion by:
If your office has a kitchen, make sure there is a compost bin available for scraps
If your office orders catering, make sure to order the right amount of food to minimize leftovers
Donate any leftover food to a local food bank or shelter
Educate employees on the benefits of reducing food waste
Start a community garden at work where employees can grow their food
Reduce water waste
Water is essential for life, but it’s also a limited resource. According to the EPA, the average person uses about 100 gallons of water per day. That means an office of 10,000 employees would use 1 million gallons of water every day!
Conserving water not only saves this valuable resource, but it can also save your company money on your water bill. Here are our top tips.
Install low-flow fixtures, like faucets and toilets, to reduce water usage
Adjust your existing faucets to reduce the water pressure and flow
Fix any leaks in the office as soon as possible
Place signs near sinks, filtered water taps, and the water cooler reminding employees to conserve water. Don't forget to provide reusable cups
Install water-efficient fixtures, like low-flow toilets and faucets
Check the irrigation in your garden (it can probably use less water)
Use drought-tolerant plants in the office instead of watering grass or other high-maintenance plants
Recycle and reuse items
An office recycling program helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill. Office recycling and reuse can reduce your ESG score and save your company money on disposal fees.
Many states also offer tax incentives for companies that recycle. Here are some pointers to get your team involved in your office recycling program:
Place recycling bins in strategic locations throughout the office with clear labels listing items that can be recycled
Donate unwanted furniture and electronics
Recycle broken items by repairing them instead of buying new ones
Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones
Provide an e-waste collection point to recycle cell phones and other items
Create a paper use or paper waste reduction policy that includes printing (print on both sides), the use of paper products such as paper plates and paper towels, reuse envelopes, and reuse file folders
Put a recycling bin next to every printer
Properly dispose of dead batteries
Set up a reuse or upcycle station
Transportation
Encouraging employees to use sustainable forms of transportation, like public transit, biking, or carpooling, is a great way to make your company more sustainable. According to the EPA, 28 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation.
Reducing the number of cars on the road not only reduces emissions, but it can also reduce traffic congestion and save your employees time. A great alternative can include:
Offer incentives for employees who use sustainable forms of transportation, like free or discounted transit passes.
Install bike racks at the office and offer a bike maintenance station.
Encourage carpooling by designating parking spots for carpools and providing a ride-sharing matching service.
Make sustainable transportation options visible and easy to use by providing employees with maps and real-time information on transit schedules.
Reduce the need for business travel by holding video conferences instead of in-person meetings.
Create a company travel policy that specifies and reduces the amount of business travel
Encourage employees to work from home one or two days a week to further reduce the need for travel
Make sustainable transportation options visible. Provide team members with maps and real-time information on transit schedules
Purchase recycled products
Recycling materials reduces the need to extract new materials from the earth, which can save energy and water, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and preserve natural resources. It also creates jobs in the recycling industry and supports businesses that are committed to sustainability.
Look for the following content labels when purchasing office supplies:
100% Recycled Paper: Made entirely from recovered fiber, with no new tree fiber added
Post-Consumer Recycled Content: The percentage of material derived from consumer waste, as opposed to industrial waste
Processed Chlorine Free (PCF): Recycled paper that is bleached without the use of chlorine or chlorine-containing compounds
Total Recycled Content: The percentage of reused material in a product (including pre-consumer content)
Engage your community
When you get involved in your community's sustainability efforts, you are raising awareness about sustainability. It can have a ripple effect. So let’s get out there!
Volunteer for a local environmental organization
Attend community events and meetings to discuss reducing
Protect natural resources - be an advocate for community environmental issues
Share your record - publish a sustainability report
Get involved in community composting and gardening initiatives
Work with local businesses to promote sustainability
Encourage sustainable transportation options in your community
Support local policies that promote sustainability
Help to establish a community recycling program
Advocate for renewable energy sources in your community
Lead by example and live a sustainable lifestyle
Educate others about sustainability issues
Support green businesses
Conclusion
We hope this list is a useful guide for your company in reducing office waste. Every little bit helps when it comes to protecting our environment and creating a sustainable future so let's get started!
