Hi there. You’re on the Australian site,
do you want to view
Continue
Successful Recycling Guide

We know that we should recycle at home, but often we forget about the environmental impact our offices can have.

We hope to help you achieve your sustainability goals by arming you with tools to successfully implement your office recycling initiative.


Download PDF
Introduction

We know that we should recycle at home, but often we forget about the environmental impact our workplaces can have.

Think about it: 100 employees, 100 lunches worth of waste. With this in mind, we believe that better workplace habits really can create a better world.

Thanks to our modern philosophy of Open Plan Recycling we've proven that by giving employees a simple recycling solution that stands out, a visible difference can be made.

We hope to help you achieve your sustainability goals by arming you with tools to successfully implement an office recycling initiative.

Asset 6 4x
Why recycle in the workplace?

Implementing a recycling system may not be simple, but it has the opportunity to have a significant impact. Of course, while this guide is expansive, it isn’t conclusive. Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Our team is always here to help, whatever you need. Get in touch here.

There are many benefits to workplace recycling for all of those involved, including:

Recycling saves money

Firstly, recycling is cheaper than sending all of your waste to a landfill or incinerator. Did you know that in some locations you can actually make money recycling through container deposit schemes? Find out how much an effective recycling solution can improve your bottom line here.

Recycling improves your corporate social responsibility

Often we find there is pressure from all sides for organisations to be more sustainable – from changing regulations, customers, potential employees giving preference to organisations that are making a difference, and increased media attention for positive and negative environmental actions. Sustainable practices are more prevalent than ever.

Recycling changes behaviours

By incorporating recycling into your workplace, you are spearheading a campaign to change your colleagues into changemakers. Reinforcing positive behaviours will hopefully then be translated into their home lives, too.

Promotes collective culture

Recycling bins can create a water cooler effect, starting a conversation in your workplace that helps inspire collective effort when it comes to sustainability.

Recycling protects the environment

Not a day goes by without the mention of plastic in our oceans, or the impact of manufacturing and waste in some form. Organisations are able to have a significant impact with effective recycling systems. Find out more here.

Changing your thinking

Most of us recycle at home, but it's often overlooked in the workplace. Why does this matter? Sustainable behaviours at work can have a substantial impact. After all, with 100 employees comes 100 lunches worth of waste. With this in mind, we believe that better workplace habits really can create a better world.

Recycling plays only a small part of the bigger picture. We believe organisations should follow the hierarchy of waste:

  1. Refuse - Saying no to what you don’t need
  2. Reduce - To use less
  3. Reuse - Buy what you can use over + over again
  4. Repurpose - Use something for another purpose
  5. Recycle - Sort your waste effectively
  6. Dispose

Simple ways to reduce waste in the workplace include:

  • Print on both sides of your paper
  • Reduce paper waste by utilising electronic documents and email
  • Avoid excessive packaging when procuring items
  • Purchase recycled goods for your office
  • Have reusable containers, coffee cups and bags available for staff lunches and/ or takeaway. Like this awesome re-usable bag station we found in the lobby of the Xero Wellington Office:
Bags
The benefits of a circular economy

Say goodbye to linear thinking.

A linear economy can be defined as when products are made, used, and then disposed of, with their materials lost to landfill. In a recycling economy, the materials from a product or its packaging can be utilised by other suppliers into other products.

A circular economy takes our principles of wasting less even further by creating a process where materials can be recycled and reused over and over again by the manufacturer, who take responsibility for the lifecycle and end-of-life of what they produce. Companies can effectively take their old products and turn them into new ones.

Bins2 01

This idea of a circular economy is something that is at the heart of our vision and what we’re trying to achieve as we work towards a zero waste model.

A circular economy aligns with Method’s values of:

  • Accountability
  • Sustainability
  • Efficiency
  • Innovation

Thought leaders the Ellen MacArthur Foundation describe it as a process that’s “...restorative and regenerative by design, and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times.”

That's why Method's bins are made from recycled materials, but are fully recyclable at the end of their life. Often products made from recycled materials aren't then recyclable - but we've worked hard to maintain this. Currently the 60L and 20L bins feature 50% and 80% recycled materials respectively, and we're still working to increase this.

[A circular economy] represents a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities, and provides environmental and societal benefits

Ellen MacArthur Foundation