In a work environment, addressing waste and recycling can
bring about positive staff engagement and an opportunity to demonstrate the
benefits of collective action. We all notice the harmful impact of plastic
pollution for instance. Waste is a great entry point to action on climate and
sustainability and may be the very place your start in your net zero journey.
Waste is an important part of reaching net zero and climate
resilience. The disposal of organics and paper from our offices to landfill
produce methane. Additionally, our resources are precious and material
production is energy and resource intensive. Lastly, understanding your waste
is an easy step to later understanding your scope 3 emissions.
Manage waste using the waste hierarchy: avoidance is most
preferable, then re-use, recyclability, recovery, then lastly disposal. An
office waste management plan will evaluate all items consumed by the tenancy
and seek to minimise the creation of wastes according to the waste hierarchy.
By necessity, the plan will often involve engagement with multiple
stakeholders, from procurement to building occupants, cleaners, building
managers, waste contractors, and waste facility operators.