3 quick tips to get more from your current indoor recycling bins

Frustrated because your commitment to recycling doesn’t seem to be conveyed to your staff?

Have you ever stopped to consider why your staff don’t recycle enough?  Is it because they don’t want to? Or is it just because you don’t make it easy enough for them?

We believe everyone wants to do the right thing, but most office recycling methods make it a lot more difficult than it should be.

Don’t worry though, you don’t always have to spend a lot of money, or any at all, to make it easier.  Read on for 3 quick tips to get your staff to recycle more with your current indoor recycling bins.

 

1. Build your own recycling station

Are your bins scattered all over the office? Do you have an overflowing bin under every desk?  The quickest and easiest improvement you can make to your recycling methods is to put your recycling bins and general waste bins next to each other.  This makes it as easy to recycle waste as to throw it in general waste.  Also consider where you put your new recycling hub.  Where in the office is the most waste created?  Where is the most accessible and central spot for everyone in the office?  Remember, the goal of this it to make recycling at work easier.

 

2. Clear signage

Now you’ve built your recycling station, make sure everyone knows where it is.  And when they get there, make sure they know where to put their waste. Anyone should be able to tell in a split second what goes where.  Consider these ideas for making your signs as clear as possible:

• Minimal words – avoid long lists and explanations
• Use simple, clear graphics
• Consider colour-coding different waste streams for consistency across office, canteen, etc.

3. Educate

Do your staff know what can and can’t be recycled? If they don’t, they’ll likely just put it in general waste. Making sure everyone is clear on what goes in what bin will boost the amount your organisation recycles.

Here are a few ideas:

• Posters listing what goes in each bin, either around the office or next to your recycling station
• Include the information on your signage for each bin
• Brief recycling training at your next staff meeting

Hopefully this post has helped you to start re-thinking the way you approach recycling, and get the most out of what you have.  Remember, the overall goal of this is to make recycling waste as easy as throwing it all in General Waste.

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