How to Work Towards a Zero Waste Office

The goal of zero waste might sound like a lofty and idealistic one, but it is easier than you might think. Like any other policy change that a business undertakes, there are a few basic steps to ensure success.

You need to find out what is actually being thrown away and identify the source of the waste. Some things can be eliminated at the source, like junk mailings. Others will need to traced back to specific office functions that can be modified. Whatever can’t be eliminated at the source or modified needs to be recycled.

Be sure to make recycling easy for your employees. Providing attractive and well placed recycling containers for all the different types of material will encourage recycling rather than simply tossing something into the nearest trash can.

Once the waste is audited, then the plan for reducing the waste to the goal of zero waste needs to be laid out. In this step, the goals need to be very clearly defined. People like things to be clear, especially when a significant change in policy is the goal.

Goals for a zero waste initiative might include a straightforward plan for reducing copy and printing paper waste by 10% per month and recycling 100% of the remainder where possible. Goals need to be fun – where people want to get involved, rather than feeling they are being forced into change. You could even have something as lighthearted as a recycling container decoration contest

Team building is crucial to success with any major change. Encourage team building by creating positive competition on reaching goals and objectives. When people feel part of a team, they are much more likely to hold each other accountable when it comes to doing the right thing.