by Rita Chaney

Created on: August 20, 2010

Consumers who are living green at home want to also live green at work.  Although many workplaces are not “recycle-friendly,” simple strategies can be used to make sure you and your co-workers continue your recycling efforts while at the office.  Check out the following tips to green your office:

• Talk with your co-workers to determine who is interested in recycling at the office.  Doing so will assure you will have assistance in setting up, carrying out and being responsible for recycling at the office.

• Once you have a group of kindred recyclers, mention to your supervisor that you would like to institute the ability to recycle at the office.  Be prepared to enumerate the benefits of recycling for the company.  Most likely, the waste management company has the capacity to pick up recycling and could seamlessly pick up your office’s recycling on garbage pick-up day. 

• In the event your current waste management company does not pick-up recyclables, make some calls to local recycling centers and inquire about having them collect your office’s recyclables.  Maybe your company’s maintenance crew could gather and take the recyclables once per week to a local recycling center.  Your company’s recycling/collection arrangements will most likely be dependent upon where the company is located (country and city vs. suburban location).

• If individuals in power at your office are unable to locate/furnish containers for recyclables, take responsibility by offering to obtain a couple of containers and bring them to the office.  Depending on the size of your office or department, a couple of square laundry baskets (cheap and washable) should work. Some might prefer a large plastic waste can or two with covers for depositing recyclables.

• Along with your interested group of recyclers, ask your supervisor if the group can hold a special event the first day that recycling begins (Recyclenow website).  It can be as simples as having a “green” potluck where co-workers bring a green food to share.  Examples include lettuce salad, broccoli and dip, guacamole and chips, and white cake baked with green food coloring.  Post colorful signs on the first day of recycling telling co-workers about how the recycling will be organized and carried out. 

• Distribute an announcement stating the ability to recycle

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