Trash Talk in Sydney - One Farrer Place Activation

During recycling week Josephine and Sebastian, our Business Development Managers, were at One Farrer Place in Sydney talking to building residents and the public about recycling and Method.

We love events like these as we get in touch with people and businesses who have not yet started their sustainable recycling journey and get to know their concerns and reservations.

One Farrer is a co-owned office space that is leased to a variety of SMEs who utilize Method bins. Josephine, our favourite Zero Waste advocate, also spoke at a ‘Lunch and Learn’ for residents about the importance of reducing our environmental impact through waste reduction, composting, and recycling.

We caught up with Josephine and Sebastian after the activation:

We caught up with Josephine and Sebastian after the activation:

What was your overall impression of One Farrer?

Josephine: It is a really professional, beautiful space. It was so encouraging to see a wonderful team of facility managers encouraging their tenants to do better by removing desk bins and diverting waste from landfill with their Method bins.

Sebastian: One Farrer is driven by a group of innovators with high levels of professionalism and attention to detail. They have a strong desire to be at the forefront of innovation especially in the sustainability sector and it is great to see the work they are doing.

How to do engage with people when talking about recycling and waste minimisation?

Josephine: I give them tangible answers. Often waste and recycling is perceived as a complicated beast, so I break it down and provide straightforward answers thanks to my expertise, dedication and Method’s simple recycling and composting solution.

Sebastian: At the activation, in particular, my engagement was in an open and informative but relaxed way. Most people have an interest in doing the right thing so I just answer their questions and concerns around sustainability and the processes within One Farrer as well as I can.

Josephine; Did public opinions in Australia differ from what you have experienced in NZ?

Josephine: Funnily enough no. There are distinct differences between NZ and Aus such as New South Wales’ container deposit scheme but mostly everyone had the same questions. Like questions around the recycling ban in China, and what to do with coffee cup lids. I can always be confident knowing we are growing the onshore recycling infrastructure in New Zealand, the best resolution from the ‘recycling crisis’.

What should we be doing with our coffee cup lids?!

Josephine: There is a lot of confusion around coffee cups and lids particularly with the increased use of bioplastics in this space. Often if cups are made out of commercially compostable materials they will be marked accordingly. Otherwise, many coffee cups are lined with plastic and the lids are often styrofoam both of which aren’t readily recyclable. This area has had an increased focus recently, however, and there are a lot of innovators trying to make sustainable options.

Josephine; What did speaking at the Lunch and Learn to mean to you?

Josephine: I am extremely passionate about waste reduction and recycling and am privileged to work for a company that aligns with my values. It is a subject I am very familiar with and the more corporates we tell the zero waste story and the benefits of removing desk bins and implementing Method recycling stations the better.

Desk bins seem to be a repetitive theme, why are they so concerning?

Josephine: Office cubicles are out of date and so are desk bins. Desk bins encourage users to throw all of their waste in one place and mean that very little is recycled. Open plan recycling effectively encourages people to consider their waste and where it belongs.

Sebastian: What do you think is the biggest issue regarding recycling that Sydney (and wider Australian) businesses face?

Sebastian: Australia is a large place with so many different territories, councils and government agencies there is no single answer to most recycling questions in Aus. This, in turn, can cause confusion making things harder to manage when it comes to recycling and education.

Overall impressions?

Josephine: Overall I believe it was a great team effort by Seb and I. With Sebastian's in-depth understanding of Australian recycling habits and my zero waste passion we complemented each other. I am looking forward to the next activation.

Sebastian: One Farrer is constantly striving to achieve greater sustainability targets and are working towards a zero waste solution. I am very excited to be able to partner with such a passionate organisation.

Ready to start your sustainability journey with Method? Get in touch here and one of our wonderful Business Development Managers get back to you.