Global Recycling Day is nearly upon us! This is one of the most important days on our calendar, a chance to open discussion, generate awareness and express our commitment to the resourceful movement that has become a household activity around the UK.

What is Global Recycling Day?

Who better to give a foreword to this day of awareness than Ranjit Baxi, President of the Bureau of International Recycling. He states:

“18 March will be a day dedicated to the future of our planet and a day that will showcase the pivotal role that the recycling industry plays in its future, and the immense contributions the industry makes to save over 700 million tons of carbon emissions annually which helps support climate change goals.”

Ten Office Recycling Tips

1. The greatest waste in the office is usually paper, so try to use digital formats for writing notes and sending communications.
2. Separate your waste in the office by installing different bins for plastic, paper and card, food waste and general waste.
3. Procure refillable pens to reduce plastic waste through stationery usage.
4. Try a ‘Stationery Amnesty’ – all office staff hand in everything they don’t need to a central location, creating a box of surplus stationery. When people need something, they can come here before going to procurement.
5. Make sure that your printer’s ink cartridges are recyclable and a process is put in place to make sure that they do get recycled.
6. Organise a recycling awareness day. Take the most eco-friendly people in your office and ask them to manage a one-day campaign – use social media if you can and maybe even start your own hashtag!
7. Talk to senior management and ask if they would support a zero-to-landfill office policy, and see what solutions can be put in place to get there.
8. Recycle broken furniture by either breaking it into components, upcycling it, or refurbishing it.
9. Get rid of personal bins at desks and encourage staff to use the bins that allow for separated waste (see point 2).
10. Send out an email campaign that boasts all of the benefits of office recycling, and write it in such a way that your staff will respect your company’s behavioural change and will support the decision.

Bonus tip:  Choose Enviro Waste to handle your office waste – our commercial recycling rates are some of the highest in the industry.

Ten Residential Recycling Tips

1. They might take up a little bit more space, but if your separated and colour-coded recycling bins (depending on your municipal collection) are placed together with your general waste, it will be a simpler decision for which bin to use when disposing.
2. Remember that convenience is king when it comes to recycling at home, so it’s best to do your recycling either where you produce packaging waste (generally the kitchen), or close to the recycling bins (by the back door or in the utility room perhaps).
3. Want to encourage your family to recycle? Find out your local council’s recycling rules and accepted materials and educate them in a fun way with rewards.
4. Try and buy items with less or no packaging. Local markets and most supermarkets allow you to bring your own bags and buy fruit and vegetables loose. This reduces the need for recycling.
5. Create a list of common items that can and can’t go in each recycling bin, and stick it on the bins or on the wall next to the bin.
6. Upcycle! If your kids are creative, things like loo roll and empty plastic bottles are great for art projects.
7. Recycle your greywater for the garden or the toilets. With a bit of help from a plumber, your collected rainwater and the water from your shower and sinks can be redirected to the toilets.
8. Compost your food waste. If you have a garden, this is a great idea, but if you live in an apartment, not so much (it will smell quite bad).
9. Anticipate recycling when you do your shopping. Be conscious of what can be recycled, what is made from recycled goods, and which items have purchasing options that don’t require packaging!
10. Donate! Just because something has no use to you, doesn’t mean someone else won’t see value in it. Don’t fill up bin bags, look for those free plastic sacks that come through the door for charity collections. Or, take items, like clothing, books, and furniture down to your local recycling centre or charity shop.

Bonus tip: Choose our domestic recycling and clearance service – it’s already putting smiles on faces all around London!

Words from Stephen Bourdet, Enviro Waste Head of Sales & Marketing

“On the 18th of March, 2018, the world will come together for Global Recycling Day. At Enviro Waste, we will also be supporting this and continue to challenge our customers to promote the need for a change in waste habits and the continued need to reuse and minimise.”

“To bring a balance back, we must change ourselves in order to change our environment; better decisions and behaviours need to be made. This change must occur through a refinement of our thoughts and attitudes towards nature. What the majority must realise is that we are indeed nature.”

“Be part of the Enviro Waste journey and the evolution of waste management. By changing one thing you can help to change the world.”

Conclusion

Twenty free tips and insight from an environmental industry expert to brighten up your Global Recycling Day. Do you want to do your part and share the word about this special occasion? Hit the social share buttons below to send the article to your social media of choice.

Would you like to see Enviro Waste apply our knowledge to help your home or business? Fill in the enquiry form and one of our account managers will get back to you (once we’ve finished celebrating Global Recycling Day, of course!).