Principle
Over the years, individual waste bins have gradually disappeared from our offices. Although these personal bins seem convenient, they mix different types of waste without any sorting. A new solution has been implemented: occupants of office buildings are now asked to dispose of their waste in a centralized location, known as voluntary drop-off. Several bins are available in the main offices for sorting different types of waste:
- Plastics (yellow)
- Paper and cardboard (blue)
- Glass bottles (green)
- Household or non-recyclable waste (black, grey)
- Metal (red, optional)
Benefits
Advantages for the cleaning company
This solution reduces the number of collection points for the cleaning company, potentially leading to savings on the cleaning budget. It encourages long-term employee engagement and commitment.
Additionally, it saves time for our service staff, allowing them to focus on other tasks. By choosing this new approach, the company integrates social and environmental concerns into its operations, aligning with its CSR strategy.
It fosters innovation, reduces the company’s energy costs, and provides the double benefit of enhancing its image while boosting employee productivity, motivation, and loyalty.
Advantages of selective sorting
With voluntary drop-off, building occupants are encouraged to sort waste as they dispose of it, promoting selective sorting.
Though the action seems simple, it has a significant impact when scaled up. Eliminating individual waste bins improves waste sorting within the company and gradually encourages behavior change in the office. For instance, implementing voluntary drop-off, which requires getting up to dispose of waste—particularly paper, the most common waste—has helped reduce the amount of printed material in the company.
As discussed in a previous article, "Why Introduce Selective Sorting in Your Company," there are numerous reasons to sort your waste. Firstly, it helps us respect the environment and its components.
This initiative is often accompanied by other measures, such as introducing reusable cups and mugs to reduce the use of plastic or cardboard cups.
Selective sorting helps save water and energy since manufacturing packaging consumes more energy than recycling it. Lastly, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to the fight against global warming.
