Did you know that better waste management practices could also mean financial improvements? The typical hesitation regarding implementing better sustainability practices stems from the fear of increased cost. By making minor adjustments to daily operational tasks, your company can help the planet and improve your budget. To successfully begin making changes, focusing on smaller and more manageable tasks that don’t require a significant monetary investment is ideal.
Reusable Cups Are So In
Replacing disposable coffee cups with reusable mugs is a simple way to decrease the trash accumulated in your office. In this scenario, let’s pretend that your office has 36 employees who each consume two 12oz cups of coffee daily. If your company purchases disposable coffee cups that cost 11 cents, you will spend roughly $2,000 per year on cups alone! Buying $5 reusable ceramic mugs for employees will require a one-time purchase of $150 for 36 staff members. Do you see how one small change in your supply purchasing can save substantial money? Supplying employees with ceramic mugs will eliminate unnecessary waste without changing their coffee consumption habits.
Save the Trees
The second waste management tip is so simple that it will make your head spin! By printing on both sides of the paper, you will significantly reduce your office paper consumption. According to an article released by Cleveland State University Ohio, an office uses approximately 10,000 sheets of paper each year (“Paper Facts Printing Facts” p. 1). Merely changing the print settings on computers in the office to print on both sides will not only save trees but also cut your yearly paper expenses in half.
Recycling Can Be Fun
Now that we have discussed reducing office waste, what should you do with the garbage that still exists? The answer is simple: it’s time to start recycling! Here at Adopt A Highway Maintenance Corporation® we have found that this is one of the most straightforward changes to implement in the office. We encourage everyone to recycle their cans and plastic bottles, thus improving waste management efforts on items that are used daily. As a “thank you” to your staff for their diligence in making the earth a little “greener,” you can invest the money received from recycling into fun treats for the entire office to enjoy.
Comment and Share
The most challenging part of making eco-friendly changes is not creating ideas but the implementation process itself. That’s why it is crucial for top management to enforce the practices that work best for their specific organization. Try any of these office tips and tell us how it’s going in the comment section below. If you have found some other interesting tips, please keep us informed! Trust me, we all want to hear how to improve our waste management efforts without breaking the bank!
References
Paper Facts Printer Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cua6.urban.csuohio.edu/~sanda/syl/envpol/materials/GREEN%20FACTS.pdf