5 Ways you can Reduce Plastic use in the Workplace

Plastic has become an environmental concern in recent years, with much of the plastic we dispose of eventually finding its way into the ocean and our food chain. This makes it more important than ever to act in reducing the amount of plastic you use in your everyday life, including at work. With just a little bit of planning and forethought, you can reduce your use of plastic in your workplace without too much effort. Here are five simple tips for reducing your plastic waste at work.

1) Use refillable water bottles

First, if you haven’t already, invest in a quality reusable water bottle. Once you have your refillable bottle on hand, make it your new habit to always carry it with you — to work, to meetings, to just about everywhere! That way, no matter where you are or what time of day it is, you’ll always have access to something other than plastic water bottles.

2) Cut down on plastic waste at lunch

While you can’t really control what your co-workers bring to work every day, you can easily say no to plastic cutlery. Purchase a set of reusable bamboo cutlery and keep it in your desk drawer. When someone asks for a knife or fork at lunch, be prepared to offer them a wooden option!

Another plastic saving option is to bring food into work instead of buying pre-packaged food, by reusing plastic takeaway containers instead of throwing them away, simply wash them out and reuse them. Not only will it help reduce your personal plastic waste, but it’ll save money over time.

3) Purchase recycled office supplies

An easy way to make a difference is to buy recycled or sustainably sourced office supplies, such as copy paper and other everyday essentials.

As always, make sure you ask about recycled content before purchasing new supplies. Many suppliers offer their products with a mix of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled materials.

4) Commit to reusable coffee cups

Coffee cups are a typical example of single-use plastics that have a big environmental impact. A study by Cardiff University found that 2.5 billion takeaway coffee cups are thrown away in Britain every year – many of which aren’t recycled. However, you can easily reduce your contribution to plastic waste by using your own reusable coffee cup instead of disposable ones.

5) Invest in plastic-free or reduced plastic cleaning products

There are lots of chemical free, pre-dosed and reusable trigger spray cleaning products on the market. Ensure that your cleaning service provider is choosing these environmentally friendly options.

By going green when it comes to these products, you’ll be able to significantly reduce packaging from conventional cleaners and your use of plastic bottles that you’d otherwise have to throw away when they run out.

It might take a while to cut out all of your plastic use, but if you can make small changes in your daily routine, it’ll add up over time. By making these adjustments in your day-to-day life, you’ll be able to decrease your personal plastic waste significantly.

Working together as a team to hold each other accountable can help motivate your work colleagues to follow suit!