Simple Actions to Reduce Waste

Office buildings, schools, stores, hotels, restaurants and other buildings generate significant amounts of materials and waste. Waste prevention is a business strategy from which any company, regardless of size or type, can benefit. In addition to cost savings, it can also help you improve worker safety.  It can conserve resources, cut carbon emissions from the production and consumption of materials, and enhance your image in the community.

Below are tools and resources to help businesses owners improve waste management in their buildings.

First Steps

• Calculate your

  waste diversion rate

  or conduct a DIY waste assessment 

• Involve your employees to help promote inclusivity and work as a team to achieve waste goals

Recycling

• Use the single stream recycling guide to educate those using your facilities
• Ensure recycling bins are available along with signage in clearly visible areas
• Don’t forget about proper disposal of hazardous materials, electronics and batteries

Purchasing

• Plastic bag fee information 
• Buy paper products with as much recycled content as possible. For more information, visit the EPA paper guidelines
• Buy mats, tiles, and carpet with as much recycled content as possible
• Give purchasing preference to local or domestic vendors 
• Buy refillable dispensers  versus portion-control packaging
• Attempt to source items that are reusable, energy-efficient, water-conserving, rechargeable, and recyclable
• Try to have minimal packaging, toxic content or chemical hazard potential. Consider if the item can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner 
  • Look at the sustainable marketplace page to start identifying greener products and services
  • Toolkit: A Guide to Sustainable Serviceware for Restaurants and Food Prep Businesses

Reuse and reduce

• Consider having reusable cups, plates, utensils, and napkins available to employees
• Find out how to incorporate reusable containers with these guidelines at your establishment
• Use pitchers and glasses for serving tap water at meetings and events. Avoid bottled water wherever possible 
• Program printers to print double-sided 
• Increase digital correspondence: adopt “paperless” receipts, and paperless system for payroll/vendors systems
• Discuss with vendors options for reduction of excess packaging 
• Borrow or rent items you use infrequently
• Compost- Commercial composting services are available with Compost Queen