Green Office – Home Office – Any Office:

Summer is coming, it’s brighter so may be it’s time to declutter and tidy? With that in mind, please find some recycling tips to stay eco-friendly at work this spring and year round!

As we know, office waste mainly consists of electrical, electronic, cardboard, paper, packaging and food waste, all of which can be reused, recycled or composted. The one type of waste which is most commonly hoarded for disposal later is old, unused or damaged electrical/electronic equipment.

Some items just appear event! They might include glass or plastic bottles, cans plastic cups, coffee cups, and food trays and wrappers to name a few. These items can all be segregated and recycled in work or you could encourage staff and suppliers to use reusable items which can be collected and reuse. Disposal items arrival and leave quickly, it’s just to make sure they are recycled for good.

The benefits of introducing a program of reducing, reusing and recycling include;

• Big euro savings in time on waste disposal costs.
• Boost to staff morale with a focus on reducing, reuse and recycling.
• Demonstrates the organisation is commitment to the environment.
• Enhanced public perception of your organization as a green organization.
• Promotes a green agenda with your trading partners.
• Offer time and cost saving opportunities to staff.  
• Relieves workplace anxiety – when you are organised, clean and tidy, anxiety is reduced.

Below you will find some tips that can be easily implemented and integrated into the day-to-day running of the office and office building. They may result in reduced office supplies usage, time ordering and money spent.

Tips on How to Reduce Office Waste

1. Buy supplies in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
2. Create a clear recycling station with labelled bins for paper, plastic, ink, and electronics.
3. Your workplace should be encouraged to go paperless.
4. Use digital signatures to avoid printing documents for signing.
5. Only print if there is a real need for a hard copy.
6. Meeting clients or colleagues online to save resources. It’s the norm now!
7. Use e-mail or instant messages to save paper, time and money.
8. Share team and event calendars.
9. Draft documents can be reviewed on-screen before emailing.
10. Reports and presentation should be electronic only
11. If paper is required, use FSC–certified paper
12. Research purchasing printers which print double-sided copies only.
13. Photocopy and print double-sided.
14. Scrap paper can be used to make note pads to take phone messages.
15. Introduce a centralized filing system. This reduces multiple files,
16. Enable the reuse of paper envelopes by putting a label on top of the old address.
17.  Cut down on excess equipment sitting in the store, going out of date, e.g. electrical and electronic office equipment.
18. Regularly service equipment, particularly computers, photocopiers, and printers, to prolong their lifespan.
19. When equipment reaches its end of life use a registered and licensed electrical and electronic recycler to ensure equipment is safely made ready for reuse and recycling.
20. Employees should regularly empty out their desk and return any unwanted office supplies to the stationery cupboard.
21. Free or fee-based online newspaper subscription can reduce the amount of paper to be recycled.
22. Cancel any unwanted magazine or newspaper subscriptions to avoid unwanted waste accumulating.
23. Reuse binders and file folders.
24. Office announcements can be posted online, sent via email or posted once in a centralized monitor or TV screen.
25. Consider renting equipment that you use only occasionally rather than having to store it in the workplace.
26. Encourage colleagues to bring lunch to work in reusable containers.
27. Encourage management to have reusable silverware, plates and cups and a small coffee station in the office.
28. Research and purchase products with less packaging or with no packaging at all.
29. Install filtered water rather than a water cooler.
30. Give your team a reusable water bottle.
31. Offer secure bike parking.
32. Source used desks, chairs and lockers (if required).
33. Unplug equipment when not in use or overnight.
34. Work from home when possible.
35. Offer unused or surplus items to other organisation for reuse.
36. Think about how you can have a green work party or events during the year.
37. Set printers to default to black-and-white to reduce ink usage.
38. Use refillable ink cartridges instead of single-use ones.
39. Switch to energy-efficient LED lighting in your workplace
40. Encourage staff to use reusable coffee cups instead of disposable ones.
41. Choose rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
42. Donate or sell old furniture instead of throwing it away.
43. Track waste and set reduction goals to encourage improvement.

About Recycle IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning social enterprise providing recycling collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items.

During 2023 Recycle IT operated drop off and collection services to of thousands of homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of batteries, computers, cables, monitors, kettles.  microwaves and screens.

Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development, Dormant Accounts Fund, Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.

For further details about our free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie