10 Things All Small Businesses Can Try To Improve Recycling

10 Things all Small Business can try to Improve Recycling 

Small Businesses have a lot on their plate as it is...juggling staff, payroll, customers, stress levels & with all the LinkedIn Gurus in your ear telling you how easy it is to grow your business if you follow there 10 step routine that only costs £5000 a year, it can be hard to focus on what really matters. 

Well, this 10 step routine will first of all cost you £0 & secondly, has been put together with your small business in mind! We know that managing a business is tough, especially without having the added stress of making sure your commercial waste is in order!

With that being said, we have put together a little bit of a recycling guide to show you 10 things a small business can try to improve their recycling!

1. Implement a Comprehensive Recycling Program with both Internal and External Recycling Bins

This may sound daunting, but it really shouldn't be. The 1st step is to set up Internal & External Bins. 

• For Internal Bins: Place recycling bins strategically within your workspace for easy access. Label them clearly & make sure that you designate separate bins for paper, plastic, glass, metal & general waste. 
• For External Bins: These are all the bins that can be found outside your premises, again, making sure that all bins are clearly labelled to help employees easily dispose of waste in the correct bins & create a more efficient way of separating your waste.  

By clearly labelling your bins, you have reduced the amount of contaminated waste in each bin and now have a quick, easy recycling program that can help your waste management become a lot more seamless!

Once you have these in place, make sure to educate your staff on what goes in what bin & what not to put in there...to find this information out easily - you can find our blog on what goes in what bin here

Congrats, you can now provide cost-effective small business waste management recycling programs to your employees. Have you ever seen a LinkedIn Guru help you that quickly!

2. Use Recycled and Reusable Products:

This doesn't just mean that you introduce proper coffee mugs and it is job done. There are plenty of other ways that your workplace can have a positive impact on recycling. These are:

1. Use Recycled Paper: Opt for office paper that has been recycled. There are plenty of options out there.
2. Eco-friendly Notebooks: Choose notebooks made from recycled paper or other sustainable materials. Consider options with biodegradable or recyclable covers.
3. Sustainable Packaging for Supplies: When ordering office supplies, select products that come in minimal and recyclable packaging. Communicate your preference for eco-friendly packaging to suppliers.
4. Provide Branded Reusable Items: Consider providing employees with branded reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, and utensils. Branded items not only promote your company but also serve as constant reminders of your recycling push.
5. Analyse what else can be change to reusable or recycled materials: There may be some items that you aren't aware that you can purchase that will benefit you in the long run. Items such as office furniture & ink cartridges can be made from recycled products which don't cost the earth!

By jumping on board with these practices, any small and medium business can join the green team and build a workplace that's all about eco-consciousness. Making savvy decisions about office supplies, packaging, and reusable items adds up to a big deal in cutting down on waste and getting onboard the eco-friendly train. 

3. Conduct Regular Waste Audits:

Waste audits on first glance seem complicated and very technical, but, they really aren't. The key is to make sure you organise everything before you get started on your audit. 

Follow the simple guide below to conduct your first waste audit...how exciting!

Preparing for a Waste Audit: Tools and Techniques

Tools you will need:

• Gloves
• Garbage bags or bins
• Recycling bins
• Clipboards
• Pens and paper
• Sorting tables or surfaces
• Scales
• Camera or Smartphone

Steps

Form a Team: The dream team.

Choose a Sample: Pick a day and stick to it.

Collect your Waste: Collect your waste & organise it. 

Sort the Waste: Weigh it, note the amount, note where collected from. 

Once your waste has been sorted, weighed & noted down, you can move onto the results and see what can be improved. 

4. Recycle Electronic Waste Properly:

The good old WEEE! Waste electrical and electronic equipment. With the amount of electronics found in pretty much all small businesses in the UK, recycling can help to reduce waste & create a more sustainable business. 

Use any tip below to manage your e-waste business recycling more efficiently: 

Designated Collection Points: Place e-waste collection points in easily accessible & visible locations within the workplace. Common areas like exits are ideal.

Clearly Label Collection Bins: Clearly label bins for different types of electronic waste, this could be for old computers, monitors, printers, and other electronic devices. This ensures proper sorting & disposal.

Regular Collection Schedule: Introduce a regular schedule for collecting e-waste to ensure timely disposal. Consider coordinating collection days with a local e-waste recycling services.

Research Local E-Waste Recycling Services: Identify a local e-waste recycling companies with a track record of environmentally friendly practices that align with your recycling collections.

Certifications and Compliance: Verify that the chosen e-waste recyclers hold certifications to show that they are compliant and legally allowed to dispose of e waste, as these types of waste require special handling.

5. Compost Organic Waste:

If you have the room in your yard or business property, why not look at starting a compost programme? 

Composting Bins: Introduce composting bins in areas where organic waste is generated, such as the kitchen or break room.

Biodegradable Products: Encourage the use of biodegradable plates, cups, and utensils in the workplace to further support composting efforts.

On-Site Use: Utilise the compost generated for on-site landscaping, enriching the soil naturally.

Community Engagement: Consider donating excess compost to local community gardens or urban farming initiatives.

Starting your own composting not only reduces the amount of food waste produced, but, reduces the amount of money you have to spend on your food waste collection. By reducing the amount of each waste stream produced by businesses. every business can save tonnes of waste and hundreds of pounds. 

6. Encourage Supplier and Customer Recycling:

A Supplier doesn't have to be just that...a supplier. Try and build a relationship with any suppliers that you use and encourage your customers to recycle any packaging and products that you may create for them, this will only help your business. 

For your supplier this relationship could include: 

Open Communication Channels: Create a clear communication channel with you and your suppliers. This makes it easier to get across what would be beneficial for your business. This could be less packaging or more sustainable packaging.

Opt for Minimal Packaging: Encourage suppliers to use minimal packaging for products delivered to your business. This may involve exploring alternative packaging materials or adopting innovative, eco-friendly packaging solutions.

For customers this could be in the form of:

Interactive Displays: This is a great, creative way of getting your sustainability drive across. Highlight actions that you are taking to create a more sustainable business and show that you are working towards the overall reduction of your waste. 

Loyalty Programs: Introduce loyalty programs that reward customers for participating in recycling initiatives. Offer points or discounts for returning packaging materials or participating in eco-friendly practices.

Discounted Refills or Reusable Containers: Offer discounted refills for products or incentives for customers who bring their reusable containers. This encourages the use of sustainable alternatives and reduces single-use packaging. This also rewards your customers for their waste and recycling, and who doesn't want to be rewarded for their recycling waste?

7. Regular Training, Posters and Updates:

Your staff are the cornerstone of your business. Without your staff being up to date, knowledgeable and most of all interested in your waste push, you will find it hard to get any new program or initiative off the ground. 

Keep things interesting for your staff and make sure to keep them informed & updated on your new methods. 

This could be by: 

Hands-On Workshops: Conduct hands-on workshops or training sessions to ensure employees understand the importance of proper recycling. Make it fun so that they are learning whilst also enjoying the workshop. The last thing you want is a 2 hour training session where all they do is watch a video about glass recycling, commercial recycling & the 5 R's of recycling!

Continuous Education: Provide continuous updates and reminders about recycling practices.

Posters and Info-graphics: Place posters and info-graphics in common areas to visually reinforce recycling guidelines. This could be in the form of a poster on each bin so that they know exactly what goes in what. So, Hazardous waste, recyclable waste, dry mixed recycling etc

Digital Communication: Use your digital channels such as email or internal communication platforms to send through some tips. You could even point them in the direction of our handy waste tip blogs, if you are feeling generous!

8. Start a Printer Cartridge Refill Program:

We all know how expensive printer cartridges are, only for you to buy a brand new one and it is only filled half way, this is before you include the travel costs and environmental footprint! 

Well, instead of buying new cartridges, have you ever thought about setting up a system for refilling ink and toner cartridges? It is a lot simpler to set up then you may think.

You would need too:

1. Research and Identify Refill Suppliers: Many office suppliers will offer ink & toner refills. Look for a local retailer or if you can't find anyone, there are plenty of online suppliers out there. 
2. Choose the right ink:  Ensure that the refill kits and ink you choose are compatible with the specific printer models used in your business. The last thing you want is the wrong ink being delivered. 
3. Calculate the savings: Compare the cost of purchasing new cartridges with the cost of refilling. Consider factors such as the price of refill kits, replacement ink, and potential labour costs.
4. Set up refill station: Designate an ideal spot for where the refill station can go. 
5. Educate your staff: Training sessions, posters, staff meetings. Make sure your staff understand the new process and the reasons why you are doing this. 
6. Rewards: Give out rewards to the biggest re-fillers. Set up small department competitions, with little rewards given to the team who has refilled the most ink. Make sure to tell them they actually have to use the ink, they can't be pouring it down the toilet!

9. Create a Library of Reusable Items:

Think of your old school lost and found box, without the smelly socks and clothes of course. 

Designate an area within your business for reusable items. This could be items such as:

• Party Supplies.
• Tools that employees can borrow. 
• Mugs, Containers & Utensils. 

Encourage your employees to use shared items instead of disposable alternatives, instilling a sense of responsibility. Don't worry, we don't mean you have to go sharing tea bags now...we would never recommend something as hurtful as that!

10. Recycle Old Uniforms and Textiles:

Instead of ditching your old uniforms and throwing them away. Why not recycle them? Make recycling work for you and your businesses waste recycling needs.

Set up a designated clothes and textiles bin where your staff members can easily chuck away their old clothing and materials, whilst knowing that they are going to be fully recycled. 

You could even set up a partnership with a local charity & organise regular pick ups. Look for organisations that align with your business values and community goals.

BONUS Implement a 'Green Points' System for Employees:

Reward your most avid recyclers in your business. Create a reward system where your employees can earn points for participating in your sustainability efforts. This could be in the form of a gift card, or if you are feeling really generous, early finishes for your staff. 

This not only encourages your employees to recycle more and more to get up the leader board, but drives some of the less interested employees to get on board with your waste disposal efforts, as, let's be honest...nobody likes seeing their workmates leaving early & everyone loves a bit of friendly competition!