What you can do

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Article:

Recycling

Did you know? 

Annually, 18 million print toner cartridges and nearly nine out of every ten sheets of office paper are going directly to landfill. Only 11% of Australia's office paper is being recycled – yet, recycling one tonne of paper would save around 13 trees, 31,000 litres of water and 4,100 kWh of electricity [source: Climate Clever - Greenhouse.gov.au]

What can I do? 

You can make a huge difference by introducing recycling initiatives at work. Have you recently reviewed the opportunities for recycling?

Easy ways to make a difference:

1. Make informed purchasing decisions – research and prioritise supplies and equipment that support the use of recycled materials or has end-of life recycling potential
2. Prioritise and consider purchases – refurbish and reuse rather than replace
3. Investigate outlets and avenues for recycling your unwanted or excess items, materials or products
4. Add environmental impact and recycling considerations to workplace decision-making processes and policies
5. Keep up-to-date with strategies and recycling industry improvements – adapt, adjust and improve your recycling efforts and strategies
6. Reuse office paper – Promote and use double-sided printing and copying
7. Avoid waste – audit, understand and plan to avoid waste
8. Review and monitor recycling arrangements within your workplace – are they effective and appropriate to your business operation and processes?
9. Review and monitor recycling performance both internal and external to the organisation – how does your workplace compare to industry peers? Are the collection and processing arrangements and supplier performing as expected?
10. Investigate, champion and negotiate avenues and methods for increasing your recycling efforts and performance – discuss and brainstorm ideas and enlist support from key stakeholders and suppliers
11. Investigate and look for opportunities to improve recovery and adoption rates – solicit feedback and suggestions
12. Cut down on packaging and recycle or reuse packaging where possible
13. Make arrangements with suppliers for the return of unwanted or unused products and materials – arrange for the return of printing cartridges, containers and packaging
14. Demonstrate your committment to recycling, both inside and outside your organisation – take advantage of opportunities to promote a 'green' image