February 14, 2022
How can your business recycle more?
With 88% of consumers actively looking for brands that help them be more sustainable*, you’re not alone if your business is feeling the pressure to improve your green credentials.
Our recent Twitter poll** asked what people felt the biggest barriers to recycling more at work are. 33% said ineffective systems were holding them back, while 15% reported having little knowledge and training was the main issue, and 16% were worried about costs of implementing changes. Over a third of respondents (36%) said all three were stopping them recycling more. In this blog we share our advice for overcoming these barriers so your business can move towards a more sustainable future.
Upgrading ineffective systems
Implementing an effective waste management system in both your front-of-house and back-of-house areas is critical to maximising your business’ recycling capability.
Installing a multi-stream waste disposal system will enable you to recycle more waste by preventing the cross-contamination of recyclable and non-recyclable materials, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Not only is installing an effective multi-stream recycling system essential for maximising recycling in your facility, it’s also a visible indicator to your customers and facility users that you’re committed to environmentally friendly practices.
And when it comes to front of house, introducing a multi-stream waste disposal system needn’t mean you have to compromise aesthetics for functionality. Take our Slim Jim Recycling Stations®, for example. Balancing a front-of-house look with back-of-house functionality, the slim footprint fits in the tightest spaces, while hinging lid inserts allow larger recyclables to easily fit inside. The customisable colours and lids mean you can create an attractive recycling station that both fits your needs and the setting of your facility.
Make it easy to recycle
Once you have the right systems in place, it’s important to encourage your facility users to adopt recycling as a day-to-day practice. Complement your recycling stations with clear signage that makes it as easy as possible for people to understand which type of waste needs to go where, ensuring users can quickly and effectively recycle with little impact to their daily routines.
Recycling needn’t cost the Earth
It’s a common misconception among business leaders that implementing effective recycling systems is cost prohibitive. In reality, by making smart choices, you can recoup your investment through cost savings associated with reducing the amount of waste you’re sending to landfill.
When it comes to choosing your solutions, durability is critical. Cheaper solutions may seem attractive at the outset, but if you’re investing for the future and don’t want to be laying-out more budget anytime soon, it’s durability you need to look for. Not only do you save yourself the unwanted hassle and cost of replacing sub-optimal solutions, by not having to replace your products frequently, you’re also preventing unnecessary remanufacturing, transporting, and installing solutions, meaning your waste management processes are more sustainable on a holistic level.
At RCP, long-term durability is at the core of how products are designed; all our bins come with warranties up to 10 years.
Knowledge and training
Staying on top of market trends and understanding best practice can be extremely valuable for businesses wanting to improve their recycling practices.
Join Love Recycling for the latest insights and resources
Our award-winning Love Recycling program provides free insights and resources that aid businesses to implement effective recycling. Head to the Love Recycling website to download findings from our research with over 1,000 businesses.
As part of our Love Recycling program, we’re constantly developing our support for our customer partners to help them with the knowledge and training they need to reach their sustainability goals. Sign up to our monthly newsletter for the latest news, knowledge and innovation covering the diverse field of commercial recycling and sustainability. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions about recycling and get feedback from our in-house experts.
Get started with a free audit
If your business is at the start of its recycling journey, you can access a free consultation with our in-house experts who will help you identify how you can increase your recycling output while reducing your costs. They’ll ask you about your current set-up and highlight areas where you can make changes. Get started now.
** Twitter poll conducted via @RCPEUR in January 2022, 1,470 respondents
