We all share some level of responsibility when it comes to protecting our environment. As a business, the recycling culture we establish in the workplace has benefits for our employees, as it can get carried over to home life.
Although some may still view recycling as a “green earth” fad, there are many solid reasons to recycle at the workplace and at home. It seems that almost everyone these days is carrying around a plastic water bottle. Those non re-usable bottles are thrown away (not recycled) at a rate of 2,500,000 per hour every day in the United States alone! Plastic can take over 700 years to decompose in a standard landfill.
According to 2011 numbers from the EPA, only about 10% of businesses recycle even while most businesses generate a significant amount of waste, much of it being recyclable. For example, enough office paper is thrown away in America each year to build a 12 foot high wall from Seattle to NY — That’s every single year!
Significant strides have been made in the US in increasing the percentage of recyclables removed from the general waste stream, but there is still much that can be done.
A great first step in encouraging recycling is to provide recycling bins at the workplace. This is a proven way to increase recycling rates by giving employees easier ways to recycle. A high quality and attractive recycling bin blends into your workplace environment and gives the message that your business takes investing in recycling seriously.
Consider adding high quality recycle bins a top priority on your list of office essentials and watch as your general waste stream decreases (possibly saving disposal costs) and your public image increases.
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