An office worker generates approximately 1 kg of office waste per day, consisting of paper, plastic, and food scraps. Switching to a zero waste system in the office not only helps the environment but can also reduce the company’s costs in waste management.
Simple yet effective changes can assist in implementing Zero Waste policies, enhancing environmental awareness culture, and boosting business productivity. In this article, we’ll share tips on developing a waste-free office policy and increasing efficiency in your workplace.
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Why Should We Switch to a Zero Waste Office?
Implementing Zero Waste in the office can increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace, as well as contributing to the environment:
- Environmental Protection: A zero waste office helps consume less natural resources and reduce waste. This protects the environment by reducing the amount of waste and its negative impact on the environment.
- Cost Savings: Waste reduction strategies can reduce costs for the business. At the same time, utilizing waste through recycling and recovery can provide a source of income.
- Reputation and Customer Attractiveness: Zero waste practices demonstrate the business’s environmental awareness and commitment to sustainability. This strengthens the reputation of the business, providing a valuable opportunity to attract environmentally friendly and conscious customers and clients.
- Legal Compliance: In some regions, zero waste practices may become legal requirements. By adopting zero waste policies, the business complies with legal regulations.
- Employee Satisfaction: Environmentally friendly practices can help employees feel better at work and contribute to the company culture. A sustainability-focused work environment can increase employee engagement and satisfaction.
7 Suggestions for Zero Waste in the Office
- Papers Out, Digitalization In
One of the easiest ways to reduce waste in the office is to reduce paper use.is to reduce. Encourage those who try to share documents digitally rather than printing them. This both saves paper and reduces the need for physical storage space.
It is important to adopt a paperless policy to reduce paper usage. Encourage employees to engage in digital transformation processes such as using electronic signatures, storing files digitally, and electronically transmitting invoices and receipts. Digitalization speeds up business processes and facilitates access to information for everyone in the office.
If You Must Use Paper,
- Use a smaller font
- Fit more text by narrowing margins in documents
- Do not use cover sheets on faxes. Instead, use an adhesive label on the first page of faxes.
- Buy products in bulk to minimize packaging
- Set computers and copiers to print automatically, double-sided
- Remove duplicate names and outdated entries from mailing lists
- Reuse envelopes by placing a label on the old address
- Reuse file folders and shipping boxes
- Shred newspapers and reuse them for packaging
- Get Recycling Bins and Reduce Disposable Products
Install designated recycling bins for paper, plastic, glass and other recyclable materials.Place these boxes with labels in easily accessible places in the office.
To further reduce plastic waste, encourage employees to bring reusable water bottles and coffee mugs. Make it easy for employees to fill their bottles and mugs by providing filtered water stations and coffee machines. Reduce the use of single-use plastic products (plastic forks, straws, cups, etc.).
- Review Your Packaging and Purchasing Preferences
An important way to reduce packaging waste in the office is to encourage sustainable purchasing practices. Prioritize suppliers and vendors that offer minimal or recyclable packaging. Opt for bulk buying and products made from recycled materials to reduce individual packaging.
By making sustainable purchasing choices, you can minimize the amount of waste entering your office and contribute to a circular economy.
- Use Eco-Friendly Office Supplies
There are many sustainable substitutes for common plastic office supplies, such as plastic-bound colored pencils.
You can use reusable paper clips or push pins instead of metal ones. A bucket of plastic pens can be replaced with a refillable fountain pen or a box of wooden pens. You can also switch from plastic cellophane tape to paper tape that contains soluble materials.
- Consider Joining WWF Turkey’s Green Office Diploma Program
With the Green Office-Green Transformation program that WWF Turkey has been running since 2011, institutions are encouraged to make environmentally friendly choices.
The program aims to reduce the impact of offices on nature, and WWF officials provide guidance on natural resource use, waste management and purchasing processes.
For detailed information: Green Office Diploma Program
- Turn Off Electronic Devices
Forming a habit of switching off your desk lamp, devices, and desktop computer will result in substantial energy savings over time. With everyone in the office on board, the savings and benefits will escalate further.
Ensure to unplug devices like printers when not in use, as they still draw power even when idle.
- Make Sustainability a Habit in Your Employees with ecordingApp
ecordingApp is a mobile application that allows you to earn ecoPoints when you take steps against the global climate crisis by performing tasks that benefit the world. With these points, you can meet your own needs and contribute to the environmental needs of the world.
ecordingApp was designed as a tool that empowers brands and institutions to combat the global climate crisis. In this way, you can ensure that your employees acquire sustainable living habits in their daily lives and get closer to your company’s sustainability goals.
