June 19, 2024

Better recycling made simple. 5 tips for better recycling at your business.

With new workplace recycling legislation already in place in Wales, and with similar rules set to take effect in the coming year in England, businesses are under even greater pressure to get their recycling right.

The good news? Better recycling is simple and can seriously benefit your business. As experts in waste and recycling, we’ve collated our top five recycling tips, to help you choose the right recycling bins, what to look out for when selecting your products and how to amplify your recycling efforts with education and engagement.

  1. Clear and consistent signage

Make recycling easy by making it visible. Did you know that the human brain processes visual cues 60,000 times faster than words and can recognise a familiar image within 13 milliseconds1? Minimise the risk of costly cross-contamination and maximise recycling rates by ensuring clear and colour-coded signage that encourages straightforward separation at source. Choose a manufacturer who can provide consistent messaging, colour coding and images across different containers in different areas. This cohesion will encourage recycling compliance among users and facilitate more effective separation at source.

  1. Modular to fit your needs

Modular systems allow you to install bins that improve recycling rates without disruption to productivity and effectiveness. With a range of areas to service, all with different volumes and types of waste to deal with, opting for modular solutions means a tailored approach to each.

A modular waste management system allows you to implement the streams you need, where you need them, giving you the flexibility to recycle more. And if your needs change over time, it’s easy to add to your existing systems rather than having to start again. What’s more, they are also typically easier to maintain and clean versus ‘all in one’ systems.

  1. The right bins in the right areas

Different areas of your facility will have different requirements and challenges, which means that a one-bin-fits-all approach just isn’t going to work. For front-of-house areas where aesthetics matter, consider containers like the Configure™ range, or for a front-of-house look and back-of-house functionality, Slim Jim® Recycling Stations are an adaptable recycling solution aimed at capturing multiple waste streams. What about back of house? For areas where space comes at a premium, the Slim Jim® Step On is the answer. Designed to fit in the tightest spaces and with a lid to reduce the risk of contamination and bad odours, it’s ideal for busy commercial kitchens or hidden under bars. In areas where large volumes of waste are generated, containers such as the Vented BRUTE®, which are built to last and easy to unload are essential. Transport waste around to larger bins for collection by your waste contractor with the ergonomically designed Wheeled BRUTE® and Mega BRUTE®.

  1. Durability drives savings

Investing in products that will withstand the tough demands of your facility not only supports budgets but is also the more sustainable choice. When you buy durable products with a longer lifecycle, you don’t need to waste valuable time and money on securing replacements, and the associated impact of remanufacture and transportation is lessened. In fact, by opting for bins that are designed to last longer you could cut their environmental impact by 72% and commercial costs by up to a third2.

  1. Cultivate a culture of recycling

When looking to improve your business’ recycling, you must consider that investing in the right products is only part of the answer. It’s vital to embed a culture of recycling by engaging and educating your staff. We offer businesses full access to our Love to Learn Recycling Portal. Packed with free resources and online recycling training modules, the portal will help businesses to recycle better, supporting them with knowledge and a shared drive towards a more sustainable future.

Sources

  1. https://ifvp.org/content/why-our-brain-loves-pictures
  2. RCP Love Sustainability insights report: Why product longevity is a powerful first step to improving commercial sustainability

 

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