by Judith Willson

Created on: August 11, 2010   Last Updated: October 09, 2010

Recycling in the office is becoming the norm. with both businesses and individuals want ing to go green and make their impact on the environment a more positive one.  Recycling is the obvious place to start and should always go hand in hand with reducing waste.  It is best not to produce the waste in the first place, but what there is is usually easy to recycle. 

Paper 

There are three steps to saving paper.  First of all have a policy of only printing what you have to, such as letters to clients and copies of important documents.  You don’t need to print three copies of everything for three different files.  At the very most you need one copy for a paper file and the other copies saved on the computer and/or a back up CD. 

You can also reuse paper for these file copies.  If the only people who are going to see something are your colleagues then it doesn’t matter if it is printed on the other side of something else.  You could have a rubber stamp to make it clear which was the scrap side. 

For paper you can’t reuse have a paper recycling container and encourage everybody to use it. 

Packaging 

Nearly all packaging materials can be recycled, some immediately if you are sending out your own parcels.  Otherwise collect for use later or to be sent for recycling along with the paper. 

Food and drink 

The first thing to do here is adding receptacles for plastics and cans beside the one for paper.  There is more that can be done though.  Don’t use disposable plastic cups for water, use your own mug.  If you are in charge then provide people with mugs and reusable water bottles.  If these have the company’s logo on them you’ll also get some useful free advertising.

Ink cartridges 

Sometimes these can be refilled, which is the greenest option.  Otherwise collect them for recycling.  Usually the supplier will be only too happy to take used ink cartridges off your hands, or local recycling services will collect them.  Don’t just chuck them in the bin.

Outdated equipment

When you replace old computers, photocopiers, laptops, and fax machines it is extremely easy to find homes for the old ones.  Some employees might want to take some home for starters.  Equipment is also always needed by local charities and schools if still in working order.  This counts as a donation, which you can write off against tax.  Otherwise they can be recycled for materials and spare parts.

Furniture

Old chairs, file cabinets and desks can also be donated.  If money is tight then it is possible to sell them.  However if you regularly replace office furniture then consider why you are doing this.  If it is just to brighten the place up then there are greener, cheaper options.  Paint and some plants can transform an office without it being necessary to buy a lot of new fittings.

There is actually very little waste that needs to go in the garbage.  One of the first steps to a green office is recycling whatever you can.  As well as helping the environment, good green credentials do wonders for a company’s public image. 

Learn more about this author, Judith Willson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.