It's Recycle Week from 22-28 September, the perfect time to transform your business's waste management and you don't need hours of planning to make a real impact. Here are simple, 10-minute improvements that can help you recycle more of the right things more often.
-
Audit your current bins (10 minutes)
Walk through your office and check what's actually going into each bin. You'll likely discover that recyclables are ending up in general waste simply because the right bins aren't in the right places. This quick assessment reveals your biggest opportunities.
-
Relocate recycling bins strategically (8 minutes)
Following on from the first example; Move recycling bins closer to where waste is generated. Place paper recycling near printers, food waste bins in kitchen areas, and mixed recycling by desks. This simple repositioning can increase recycling participation by up to 40%.
-
Create clear, visual labels (5 minutes)
Replace confusing text-only labels with clear visual guides showing exactly what goes where. Use pictures of common office items like coffee cups, newspapers, and food containers. Staff respond better to visual cues than lengthy written instructions.
-
Set up a 'Cardboard Corner' (7 minutes)
Designate one area near your goods receiving point for flattening and storing cardboard. This prevents boxes from spreading throughout your premises and makes collection more efficient. One of our customers have reduced their general waste by 60% with this simple change.
-
Implement the 'Two-Bin Rule' (3 minutes)
Place a small recycling bin next to every general waste bin. This visual reminder makes staff think twice before throwing everything into general waste. It's psychology in action, and it works.
-
Start a desktop recycling programme (10 minutes)
Provide small desk-side containers for paper and dry recyclables. Empty these into larger recycling bins weekly. This captures the high-volume, clean recyclables that office workers generate daily.
-
Create a ‘Quick reference guide’ (6 minutes)
Develop a one-page 'what goes where' guide specific to your business. Include common items your staff actually use, from coffee pods to packaging materials. Email it to everyone and post copies by bins.
The impact
These quick wins might seem small, but businesses implementing similar changes have seen:
- 50-70% reduction in general waste
- Recycling rates jumping from 30% to over 85%
- Significant cost savings on waste collection
- Improved staff engagement with sustainability goals
Ready to start?
This Recycle Week, commit just 10 minutes to one improvement. Next week, tackle another. Small, consistent changes create lasting transformation. Your business, your budget, and Westminster’s environment will all benefit from these simple but powerful adjustments. For more helpful tips, get in touch by calling 020 7641 6180.
