Each UK office worker produces around 500 kg of waste annually, with nearly 70% of it recyclable.

However, a significant amount still ends up in landfills due to insufficient recycling measures.

Addressing workplace recycling could dramatically reduce this impact, save on waste management costs, and reinforce businesses’ commitment to sustainability, meeting the UK’s growing need for responsible waste practices.

In this article, we’ll take you through some of the best office recycling tips and ideas, letting you know how you can encourage recycling among employees to establish sustainable office values.

Assess Your Office’s Current Recycling Setup

Your first step in setting up an efficient office recycling system is assessing the current setup in your office.

Conducting a waste management and recycling audit includes identifying areas of waste, including paper, plastic, food waste, and electronic waste. Once you know these areas, you can track the current disposal methods for these types of waste.

In terms of focussing your efforts, it’s a good idea to prioritise common office waste sources like kitchens, copy rooms, and desks.

Here are some actionable tips for assessing your office’s current recycling setup:

• Audit waste streams
• Check bin accessibility and labelling
• Gather employee feedback
• Monitor bin contamination levels
• Evaluate disposal costs

Set Up an Effective Recycling System

Once you’ve assessed your current recycling protocol and the areas to improve, you can begin to set up your new and improved office recycling system.

One of the best ways to set up your recycling system is by using designated recycling stations which are clearly labelled based on material. As well as labelling, colour-coding your recycling bins can help employees understand where to put each type of material. Also, placing signs around the office to indicate which types of waste go in each bin can make recycling easier and help everyone dispose of items correctly.

In addition, placing bins in strategic areas such as near printers, in the kitchen and in meeting rooms can help remind employees to recycle.

Some actionable tips on setting up a recycling system with clearly-labelled bins placed in strategic areas include:

• Place recycling bins in high-traffic areas
• Use colour-coded bins to differentiate waste types or material
• Label bins with clear, easy-to-read signage indicating recyclable materials
• Include visuals or icons on labels to help identify recyclable items quickly
• Use wall-mounted signs to reinforce what belongs in each bin
• Regularly review bin placement to ensure accessibility and visibility in all key areas

Educate and Involve Employees in Recycling Initiatives

A significant part of the success of your office recycling initiatives comes down to your employees and their willingness to participate.

To encourage and involve employees in these initiatives, it’s a good idea to hold workshops to educate them on recycling best practices and how their contribution to office recycling can contribute to sustainability and lowering the business’ environmental footprint.

In addition, there are engagement strategies you could use, such as appointing people to lead sustainability initiatives, or creating recycling competitions between departments to incentivise recycling.

Organisations such as WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) provide a wealth of resources and recycling guides to further help educate and inspire employees to recycle in the office.

Here are some actionable tips to educate employees and involve them in recycling initiatives:

• Organise regular training sessions on recycling best practices
• Create engaging informational materials about recycling benefits
• Launch a recycling competition
• Provide updates on recycling progress and impact
• Encourage employee feedback on recycling practices
• Use digital platforms or apps to share recycling tips and track personal contributions
• Celebrate milestones or successes in recycling effort

Implement Paper and Digital Waste Reduction Strategies

While it’s always a good idea to recycle and have proper waste management systems in place, it’s also worth looking into how you can reduce your paper and waste overall, by digitising your business.

The first step you can take is using paperless workflows, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, instead of printing and getting information across the office to colleagues physically. In addition, it’s a good idea to set all printers to double-sided mode so that, if printing is essential, you can still save as much paper as possible.

Also, using digital tools such as Acrobat and DocuSign can be helpful when it comes to traditionally paper-based practices such as signing documents.

Digitising the workplace and using technology over paper is all about office culture, so it’s always good to talk to employees and ensure everyone knows the goals and strategies going forward.

Some actionable tips for digitising your business and optimising tools to reduce your paper use include:

• Implement a cloud-based document management system
• Encourage the use of digital communication tools instead of printed memos
• Transition to electronic invoicing and billing to minimise paper transactions
• Use digital signatures for contracts and agreements
• Set up a paperless filing system
• Promote the use of online project management tools
• Train employees on digital tools and best practices
• Regularly review and update your digital tools

Encourage Recycling of E-Waste

Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is potentially one of the most environmentally-damaging types of waste right now.

When electronic items and devices are disposed of without following the right protocol, it can have a significant effect on the area, such as contaminating soil and causing air pollution.

This is why it’s essential to set up proper e-waste recycling in your office. To do this, you could consider creating a drop-off point for all old electronic items such as computers, laptops, and printers. In addition, partnering with local e-waste recycling companies or charities which refurbish old electronic items can help you create an efficient electronic waste disposal system which doesn’t harm the environment.

For example, The Restart Project in London focusses on repairing technology and electronics to tackle electronic waste issues.

Here are a few tips to help you set up a proper way of recycling electronics in the office:

• Designate a specific area for collecting old electronics
• Partner with certified e-waste recycling companies
• Educate employees about the types of electronics that can be recycled
• Schedule regular e-waste collection events to encourage participation
• Keep an inventory of electronics that need to be recycled
• Promote a “reuse and recycle” culture
• Use clear signage to guide employees on how to dispose of their electronics properly
• Review local regulations and guidelines for e-waste recycling

Composting and Food Waste Management

Another important part of waste management in the office is how you deal with food waste.

Depending on your area and the amount of outside space you have in the office, it might be a good idea to set up a composting system to deal with food waste.

You could also reach out to and partner with local composting services or urban farms to ensure your food waste has somewhere to go once your bins are full.

In addition, setting up a culture of donating to food banks and other food-related charities can help foster an environment where employees are aware and mindful of the amount of food they waste.

Some actionable tips for composting and managing your food waste systems include:

• Set up designated compost bins in break rooms and kitchens to collect food scraps.
• Educate employees on what materials can be composted
• Partner with local composting services for regular pickups and processing of compostable materials
• Use clear signage to indicate composting procedures and list acceptable materials
• Encourage employees to bring in their compostable waste from home
• Monitor compost bins regularly to ensure they are used correctly
• Organise workshops or training sessions
• Share updates on the office’s composting progress

Sustainable Purchasing to Minimise Waste

Another significant part of minimising waste in the office is ensuring that the things you purchase for the office are as sustainable as possible.

This can include buying products made from recycled materials, including paper, ink cartridges, and office furniture.

In addition, using sustainable suppliers whose values and goals align with yours can help you ensure the products you buy are environmentally friendly. Choosing products with minimal packaging can also help you minimise your impact on the environment.

Here are some tips for buying products made from recycled materials and choosing sustainable suppliers who use minimal packaging:

• Research and prioritise brands that are certified for sustainability, such as those with ISO 14001 or FSC certification
• Look for products labelled as made from recycled materials
• Choose suppliers who use minimal or compostable packaging to reduce waste
• Aim to support local suppliers
• Educate employees on the importance of choosing sustainable products
• Regularly review and update purchasing policies

Leading a Recycling Culture in the Office

Establishing a robust recycling culture in the office is essential for minimising waste and promoting sustainability.

By implementing effective recycling systems and engaging employees through education and participation, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact.

Encouraging practices such as e-waste recycling, composting, and sustainable purchasing not only supports ecological efforts but also aligns with growing consumer expectations for corporate responsibility.

As office managers lead these initiatives, they foster a sense of community and accountability among staff, creating a workplace that values sustainability and demonstrates commitment to responsible waste management for a better future.