Reduce Waste at Work

• Order supplies in bulk to minimise packaging waste and return damaged materials instead of throwing them away.
• Reduce energy costs by developing a policy to ensure that the most energy efficient equipment is purchased.
• Reuse old supplies and equipment, or consider donating or selling them to schools, thrift stores, etc.
• Recycle office equipment by sending photocopier and printer cartridges and printer ribbons to a remanufacturing firm for recycling.
• Reduce paper waste by photocopying double sided, printing double sided or using singled sided waste again as notepaper or for drafts.

In the lunch room at work :

• Avoid disposable products (eg polystyrene cups) and buy bulk supplies.
• Reuse items as much as possible such as reusable containers, coffee mugs, permanent dishes and cutlery, cloth towels, reusable coffee filters, etc.
• Recycle aluminium, glass and plastic drink containers.
• Avoid generating excess waste by using e-mail as much as possible, circulating one copy of a memo and have people sign it after reading, and editing rough drafts on computer.
• Reduce paper waste by photocopying double sided, printing double sided or using singled sided waste again as notepaper or for drafts
• Reuse old binders, file folders, report covers and general office equipment.