Waste Reduction

OPTIONS FOR WASTE REDUCTION AT THE WORKPLACE

There are many ways to reduce waste at the workplace, including but not limited to the following:

• Get staff involved in waste reduction efforts. Keep them informed of the goals of the program and establish a waste reduction committee.
• Encourage staff to bring “waste-free” lunches in reusable containers and bags.
• Install water-saving devices in washrooms (i.e. air hand dryers, energy-efficient lights, timers and a computerized thermostat) to reduce energy costs.
• Install energy-efficient light sensors in storage rooms.
• Turn off lights and equipment when not in use.
• Close the loop; support and encourage the purchase of materials, supplies, and packaging that contain recycled or refurbished content.
• Buy products in bulk to minimize packaging. Bulk products are generally less expensive than smaller and individually packaged items.
• Familiarize staff with the proper operation of office equipment to eliminate waste due to misuse and ensure that all office equipment is regularly serviced to prevent malfunctions.
• Install a computerized thermostat to control the heating and air conditioning system.
• Make it policy to purchase products with recycled content, which are durable, refillable, reusable, or recyclable.
• Centrally post or circulate memos and other documents instead of providing each person with an individual copy. Use an electronic bulletin board for private memos.
• Use green products
• Avoid Styrofoam. It is not recyclable.
• Use refurbished toner cartridges
• Recycle used printer cartridges
• Review documents on screen and print only the final version
• Encourage paperless or electronic memos or reports
• Circulate (rather than copy) memos, documents, periodicals, and reports.
• Eliminate unnecessary reports.
• Purchase second hand office furniture. Sell old office equipment to employees, or donate it to reuse centers or charitable organizations.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient halogen or fluorescent bulbs.
• Properly recycle fluorescent light bulbs.
• Ensure staff are aware of and familiar with all company waste reduction programs, policies, and objectives.
• Make two-sided copies. If a single-sided machine is being used, reverse the pages and feed them through a second time.
• Use the reduction feature on the copier to fit more on one page.
• Use outdated letterhead for in-house memos.
• Use a fax stamp or reusable fax forms instead of a cover page to minimize paper waste.
• Use old paper (i.e., one side has been used) in the fax machine.
• Use single-sided sheets of paper as scrap paper for notes.
• Use computer disks or electronic files to edit draft documents. Only print a hard copy of the final document.
• Single space the text of documents.
• Reuse scrap paper, envelopes, etc. for notes and drafts.
• Use refillable pens, pencils, and tape dispensers.
• Close the curtains or blinds in your office before you leave. This minimizes heat loss in the winter and keeps the office cool in the summer.
• Save and reuse old file folders, hanging files, etc.
• Reuse envelopes by placing a new address label over the original name. Plain labels with your office’s address can be use to cover the original address.