We all know the impact that plastic is having on our environment, but with it so ingrained in our daily life, it’s hard to avoid it.
As part of our sustainability strategy, which we introduced in November 2023, we’re committed to banning the use of single use plastic within our business. But what does that mean, and how do you do it? Here’s some top tips that we’re encouraging our colleagues to adopt – why not share them with your team?
What is single use plastic?
“Single use” relates to items that are only used once before they are thrown away. The problem with “plastic waste” is that it doesn’t break down, it only breaks up into smaller and smaller parts, impacting the environment and wildlife for years to come. Typical examples include:
- Drinks bottles and straws
- Bottled household products – soaps, shower gels shampoos
- Food products
- Shopping bags
Top tips to make your business single use plastic free
- Ditch single use plastic bottles
For every six bottles of water bought, only one is recycled. And in the UK alone, over 8 million tonnes of plastic bottles end up in the ocean each year.1
Top tips:
- Carry your favourite water bottle with you and refill throughout the day
- Keep another water bottle at your work space as a spare
- Have a supply of glasses alongside coffee mugs in the office
- Avoid meal deals that include single use plastic packaging – including water/drinks bottles
- Swap meal deals for home-made lunch
Going out to buy your lunch may be part of your normal working routine. But these lunchtime habits generate 10.7 billion items of packaging waste every year according to environmental charity Hubbub – equivalent to 276 items per person.2 (Think about the sandwich and salad containers, crisp packets, dessert pots, drinks bottles, cans, napkins, disposable cutlery…)
Even if only half of us bring our own lunch to work in re-useable containers, it will massively reduce our daily dependence on plastic in the office – and likely to be healthier too!
- Coffee to go – in your own reusable mug
According to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, approximately 7 million disposable cups are being discarded every single day3 with the majority ending up in landfills.
Top tips:
- Bring a reusable mug when you order your skinny latte or flat white
- Most coffee shops charge less for using a refillable mug
- Make the most of the hot drinks available in the office
- Bring your own and make use of the kitchen facilities.
- Recycle as much as possible
Recycling is more than just a feel-good activity or part of your waste management at home – it’s about being conscious and aware of how our actions impact our community, caring for our environment and making sure that we are managing the impact of our consumption.
Make sure your workplace locations are equipped with recycle bins and encourage your team to recycle whilst at work. The most common items that can go into the recycle bin:
- Soft drinks and water bottles
- Fruit punnets
- Milk bottles
- Cleaning products & toiletry bottles
- Yoghurt pots, margarine/butter tubs
- Ready meal tubs (and the cardboard wrapper) – not the film
Other schemes to bear in mind:
If your office has a Nespresso machine, use the pod recycling scheme – Recycling Coffee Capsules | Services | Nespresso UK
Crisp packets cannot be recycled with plastics, but many supermarkets now have a crisp packet recycling scheme in place – why not introduce a bin and volunteer to take them in once a week? Find your local crisp packet recycling facility
If we all take small steps, we can make a big impact.
Find out more about the Partners& sustainability strategy here.
1www.theecoexperts.co.uk/home-hub/plastic-bottle-waste
2www.theecoexperts.co.uk/home-hub/plastic-bottle-waste
3www.nationwidewasteservices.co.uk/the-environmental-impact-of-disposable-coffee-cups-in-the-uk/