Few Tips for Reducing Commercial Waste: In The Office

Commercial waste is the general waste produced by business of any industry. As we aim to provide better waste management for business, we focus on a few tips for reducing commercial waste in offices.

According to industry reports, a general commercial office waste bin contains an average of 76% paper and cardboard. This signifies that over three quarters of the disposed waste in an office environment has the potential to end up in landfill, rather than being recycled. 

Types of Commercial Waste

Paper and Cardboard

Going paperless is a practical procedure, providing sustainable solutions in office environments. Here are just a few tips to handle paper and cardboard disposal:

• Reduce the amount of hard-copy files where possible. Instead, keep as many electronic files on hand- beneficial for organisation, storage and safekeeping.

• Instead of sending customers paper mail or brochures, integrate an email database and distribute e-newsletters or e-brochures.

• For staff documents such as contracts and payslips, compile online versions which can be emailed and stored, digitally, by both senders and recipients- it’s a two way street.

• Where certain files must be printed, especially in certain businesses with lengthy documents, print double-sided pages as a more efficient alternative

• For items received in cardboard boxes, try to reuse these boxes as storage; for those that cannot be reused, recycle instead to avoid ending up in landfills

A Great Office Solution?

For high-volume paper and cardboard generating businesses, a baler is great for compressing and bundling this waste material. Besides being a means to manage paper and cardboard waste easily, balers are efficient, save space to avoid excess paper/cardboard piling up in a bin, provide accessibility, and transport methods for ease of drop-off and collection by your local waste management company.

E-waste

This recent and growing digital revolution, paired with technological advancements, has also meant increasing volumes in electronic waste, or e-waste. Examples may include discarded mobile phones and obsolete appliances.

In a fast-paced technological world, we see a shorter life cycle of products, which means electronics must be replaced within shorter time periods. Busier cities mean more occupied offices and as such, increased levels of e-waste. Whether obsolete in its entirety or by bits and pieces, electronics generally contain components that can be recycled, which is why businesses should take active measures in ensuring replaced or substituted e-goods are carefully handled.

According to industry reports, e-waste is growing at over three times the rate of household and council waste. Here are a few tips for recovery and reuse:

• Recycle company mobile phones.

• If batteries are needed, ensure they are rechargeable batteries. Also try and limit where possible, devices that may require ongoing battery usage. Instead, opt for those that can be recharged using chargers.

• Avoid consumption by investing in better quality materials with longer livelihood, rather than lesser quality that may require replacements as a result of shorter life spans or durability.

• Insert wireless devices where possible. Rather than having staff work off individual electronic equipment, such as modems or individual printers/scanners- purchase wireless devices for common use by all staff members, or as many as possible.

• As batteries do contain certain elements that may be dangerous, such as lead, it is best to engage with a company who will accept batteries and materials of the sort in their recycling centres.

Besides paper/cardboard and e-waste here are a few more tips for reducing commercial waste:

• Adopting Just In Time Principle for inventory management whereby stock is ordered and delivered as it is needed- and only as needed.

• Support sustainable efforts by purchasing products with recycled components- such as notebooks, printing paper and paper bags for retail outlets.

• Reduce excess consumption of bottles or coffee cups by providing glass mugs, instead of paper cups; glass cups instead of plastic cups; and filters to refill water bottles if desired.

At Bingo Industries, we gladly provide tailored waste management plans for businesses. Call a consultant on 1300 424 646 to find out more and start your new journey to better business.