Recycling Tips for the Workplace

Recycling Tips for the Workplace
8 July 2025 13 view(s) 5 min read
Recycling Tips for the Workplace

On average, a UK office worker uses around 10,000 sheets of paper annually, over half of which is general waste. Despite growing sustainability awareness and the UK government rolling out its simpler recycling scheme in 2025, workplace recycling is still failing.

The good news is, you've come to the right place for practical recycling tips and straightforward advice on improving your office’s environmental performance—our actionable ways to enhance workplace recycling, reduce waste, and boost employee engagement with schemes are a surefire way to ensure you’re doing your bit for the environment. 

Workplace Waste Audit 

Conducting a simple waste audit will give you a clear picture of your current waste needs and help identify areas for improvement.

Before introducing a complex recycling scheme, consider waste generation in your workplace to determine where contamination occurs and the best course of action for your team. 

A waste audit allows you to:

  • Measure what types of waste your organisation produces.

  • Identify areas where recycling opportunities are being missed.

  • Ensure compliance with new government policy.

How to carry out a simple waste audit:

  1. List the areas for assessment— Consider offices, kitchens, communal spaces, and meeting rooms.

  2. Record the types and quantities of waste produced over a set period. Focus on materials like paper, plastics, food waste, electrical items, and packaging.

  3. Identify the sources— note where the majority of waste is generated and whether recycling options are available in those areas.

  4. Review existing recycling facilities — check the number, type, and location of bins and the clarity of what belongs where.

Clearly Labelled Recycling Facilities

Once you’ve identified what waste your workplace generates, the next step is to ensure appropriate recycling facilities are available and efficient. 

With all good intent, even the best recycling advice is unlikely to succeed if staff cannot easily access the correct bins. Poorly placed or inconsistent recycling stations often result in recyclables being placed in general waste, leading to contamination, confusion among staff and reduced recycling.

  • Position of recycling bins.
    Avoid placing recycling bins in isolated or hard-to-reach spots. Some popular places are kitchens, break rooms, next to printers, and communal areas.

  • Group bins together.
    Always place recycling bins next to general waste bins. This reduces the likelihood of recyclable materials ending up in landfills due to convenience.

  • Use clear, consistent signage.
    Labels should be easy to read and include images to help staff quickly identify what belongs in each bin.

  • Ensure bins are regularly emptied and well-maintained.
    Overflowing or poorly maintained bins discourage correct use.

Manage Hard-to-Recycle Items Responsibly

While paper, plastic, and food comprise most office waste, many workplaces also generate items requiring specialist disposal. These materials cannot be placed in standard recycling bins and may pose environmental or safety risks if incorrectly disposed of.

Every day, hard-to-recycle items include:

  • Batteries

  • Toner and printer cartridges

  • Electrical and electronic equipment

  • Lightbulbs (especially fluorescent tubes)

  • Hazardous waste (cleaning products, certain paints)

Set up designated collection points.
Provide clearly labelled, secure containers for each waste type. For example, a battery collection box can be used in communal areas or a container for used printer cartridges near print stations.

Use approved recycling schemes and contractors.
Many local authorities and waste management services offer organisations free or low-cost collection schemes. Examples include:

  • Battery Back for battery recycling points.

  • Terracycle for hard-to-recycle plastics and stationery items.

  • WEEE disposal services are provided through local waste contractors or council partnerships.

Ensure staff are informed about how to use these facilities.
Clear signage and helpful internal communication can prevent confusion and contamination.

Check legal responsibilities.
Under UK regulations, organisations producing electrical or hazardous waste have a duty of care to dispose of it through licensed waste carriers. 

With the introduction of simpler recycling, a UK-wide initiative to standardise recycling collections across all households and businesses. It’s essential to ensure your workplace is up to scratch. 

Engage and Educate Your Team

For a successful workplace recycling scheme, all staff should understand how it works, why it matters, and how they can contribute. 

Even with well-placed bins and clear signage, recycling advice is most effective when supported by good internal communication and expectations. 

Our Top Tips for engaging your workforce:

Appoint interested staff members to help oversee recycling, monitor issues, and promote initiatives. 

Make recycling initiatives part of the onboarding process to monitor new staff expectations.

Celebrate all things green by partaking in recycling weeks, setting up old clothes donation points and encouraging staff to share resources rather than buy new.

Reduce Waste at the Source 

While it's essential to ensure your workplace conforms to the new recycling legislation, the best way to combat any issues is to reduce the amount of waste produced in the first place.

Go paperless

It may have been surprising to read how much paper office workers are still using, given that much of the world has gone digital.

By going digital wherever possible in the office, you can save costs on printing and allow your staff easy access to information.

Eliminate Single-Use Products  

Simply providing your staff with cutlery, plates, and cups will reduce the amount of waste coming into your office. Bonus points if you invest in a good-quality coffee machine.

Provide Water Bottles

One of the simplest ways to encourage less plastic in your workplace is to give employees access to filtered water. You could even invest in some branded water bottles—a bonus for both of you!

Composting

Finally, why not provide composting bins that align with simpler recycling in your workplace? Teabags, food waste, napkins and even coffee sleeves can be composted, reducing waste and your carbon footprint.

Reuse 

Another simple swap, instead of disposing of folders after use, create a station where staff can leave their office supplies that are no longer needed but still usable.

Improving waste management at work need not be complicated or overly costly. By following a few simple steps, your organisation can make meaningful and measurable improvements to environmental performance.

So, if you haven’t already, start with a simple waste audit this month — it’s the most effective first step toward building a successful workplace recycling scheme. At Kingfisher, we’re happy to help you with waste management. Contact us for information about our services.

Back to the top