5 Ways Commercial Offices Keep Their Recycling Programs Fresh

The reasons for starting an office recycling program are clear: it saves money and energy, it’s good for employee morale and your brand image, and it’s the right thing to do.

Your workspace has been recycling for more than a few years, but suddenly there are recyclables in garbage bins and a general sense of green fatigue among the troops. So, it’s time to refresh your office recycling program. Here are some simple ideas to motivate co-workers and get things running back at full capacity.

1. Make positive communication a priority

One of the most important ways to promote and support a recycling program is through clear and consistent communication. People need to be educated and gently reminded why your recycling program is important, the value and rewards it brings, and how easy it is to participate.

2. Get the team involved–the more people taking responsibility, the better

For any initiative, employee engagement excels when more than one person is leading the charge. Starting a green team or recycling committee is an easy way to involve multiple and diverse stakeholders, from across departments and positions, to share in the leadership.

The recycling committee can help lead communications, education efforts, promotions, and onboarding of others. The team can also take charge of creating and implementing an effective and employee-driven recycling strategy.

3. Build a strategy, set your goals, and get measuring

Measurement is critical for communication and positive engagement and provides a quantifiable and economic basis for support. It’s hard to achieve success without a strategy and measurable outcomes, so be sure to build that into your recycling program. A good strategy will outline your goals and what your program can achieve. 

One way to get started is by performing a waste audit of your space, ideally by an external third party. An audit can help understand your situation, realize your goals, and establish a method for measuring success. Speak to your current recycling or waste services provider to see if they can help.

Some providers offer a certification system and will work with you to regularly measure and keep your program on track. Regional and municipal governments also have programs, like the 3RCertified program in Ontario.

4. Redesign and reorganize your collection system and receptacles

Aside from poor communication, lack of accessibility and convenience is one of the biggest obstacles to workplace recycling. If employees can’t find recycling bins or don’t understand, choosing not to take part becomes an easy decision.

A little aesthetic appeal also goes a long way to making people feel good about participating, so consider investing in new recycling receptacles that add some style to your space and recycling program. Get your green committee involved, assess your current set up, and start looking at ways to make things more convenient and easy-to-use. Simple ideas include making sure there are enough collection bins, that the bins are in the right places, and are labeled with clear instructions and visuals to explain the program.

5. Make recycling fun and rewarding

Games, incentives, and rewards compel people to act and get involved. Make recycling a team challenge in your workspace to increase participation. Co-workers can collaborate and compete against other teams to measure their outputs. If cash prizes, gift cards, or free breakfast aren’t in the budget, vacation days, extended lunch hours, or simply bragging rights can also do the trick. It’s a fun way to involve everyone and make it an ongoing solution-orientated success.

Also, check around in your area for other businesses that may have interests in a similar program. Municipalities or regions may sponsor programs for local businesses to challenge each other and incentivize achievement.