Like everything else in a business setting, measuring workplace recycling efforts and challenges ensures that they will be better managed. So non-profit Keep America Beautiful has released the first wave of data and findings from its “Recycling at Work” study.
As you might imagine, office recycling practices aren’t that different from what happens at home: materials often end up in the wrong bin/container, and convenience makes a real difference. Over the six months of the study, researchers found that
- Paper has the highest rates of office recycling, but it’s still present in trash cans in 50% of offices;
- Beverage containers – both plastic and aluminum – end up in both trash cans and recycling bins in about equal amounts; and
- Paper towels often end up in recycling bins.
Obviously, there’s room for improvement. The study claims that convenience makes a real difference: a deskside recycling bin with a smaller trash can improved the quality of recyclables by as much as 20% in some settings. Additionally, well-placed and formatted signage also improved the quality of recycled materials.
How does your workplace encourage and manage recycling practices? Share your practices and experience with us in the comments.
via Waste Dive
In other waste biz news:
Event flowers find a second life: Ever wonder what happens to those gorgeous floral centerpieces at wedding receptions, charity balls, or other events? In most cases, they get tossed, but Boston-based Rebloom recognized that most of these flowers still look great… so they collect them and resell them to offices and other spaces that want floral arrangements at a discount. They also donate a portion of revenues to charities chosen by customers.
Taking a stand for ugly vegetables: Grocery customers expect their produce to have a certain look; those fruits and vegetables that don’t make the cut often get tossed. Washington, D.C.-based MISFIT Juicery takes that ugly produce, and makes juice out of it… while also trying to address issues of food waste and beauty.
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