On Top Tips to Reduce Plastic Waste in the Workplace
Whether you’re looking for professional inspiration or ISO 14001 sustainability goals for 2025, we have put together our top tips for reducing single use plastic waste in your workplace.
Where to start in your Workplace:
Kitchen
Single use plastic cups/plates/cutlery/straws… no more! If you can’t provide an alternative, encourage staff to bring in their own reusable alternatives and water bottles.
Avoid cleaning products in single use plastic containers by using refillable containers. Even better, eco-friendly alternatives will avoid hazardous chemicals (and COSHH assessments!)
When it’s time to replace cleaning cloths, try switching from synthetic to natural fibres. There are plenty of alternatives on the market that can be composted at the end of their lifespan.
Bins
Remove individual rubbish bins and replace with centralised re-cycling points. Make the most of those 3 Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. If you have non-hazardous industrial waste that can’t be avoided, take a look online at local initiatives- there are increasing numbers out there now working towards zero waste to landfill.
Bathroom
Throw out those single-use bathroom products and swap in reusable alternatives or cardboard packaging. Look out for plastic bottles, soap containers, lotions etc.
Suppliers
When ordering supplies, get everybody on board and request zero plastic and polystyrene packaging. Challenge your supply chain by asking why they use certain packaging methods. Does it have to be single-use? And if they say it does, ask if they can reduce and/or change the material?