Path 3: Andrea, Roberto and Sam discuss improving their SMB’s recycling program!
“Our only problem is a really limited budget for sustainability projects,” Andrea cautioned. “With the downturn in the economy, the company is focused on retaining staff and not environmental things, which I get.”
“We can start small!” Sam explained. “Sometimes the easiest thing is mere re-education of how to maximize the resources we already pay for.”
Roberto agreed, “That sounds good. What do you have in mind?”
Sam replied, “I can’t help but notice the signs on the bins showing what should go where.” Sam pointed out the coffee and grease-stained signs on the side of each can. “I think these are all pre-pandemic … possibly pre-MTV, given the looks of them,” Sam chuckled.
“Well, let’s blind our co-workers with science, then!” Roberto exclaimed with a laugh. “Really though, let’s think of how we can improve these.”
Andrea replied, “First, these signs look more appropriate for residential use. For example, the compost bin shows eggshells as an item to go in that bin. While accurate, we don’t have a lot of people making scrambled eggs here in the office. We should make the signs as relevant to the office waste experience as possible. For example, one thing that I’m always picking out of the recycling bin is pizza boxes. Once paper or cardboard has food waste on it, it’s compost. People seem to always get that wrong and we eat a surprising amount of pizza here.”
“Good catch,” Sam said. “Same thing with recycling. What our municipal recycler accepts in this city may be different than what the recyclers accept in the cities where our colleagues live. Signage explaining what can properly be recycled here would help—again, so long as those signs show items that are actually recycled here. Which might require research on our municipal composter’s website or even a call to the recycler.”
“Great ideas! In fact, Andrea, wasn’t the company fined some time ago for not properly filtering out non-recyclable items from the recycling bin?” Roberto asked.
“Ugh, yes,” Andrea sighed. “Let’s not discuss that again.”
Sam responded, “OK, well, with that in mind, I think we have our mandate to improve signage. It won’t cost but pennies and could save us from a second embarrassing fine. Let’s brainstorm what items we want to depict on the signs. Then I can create them and take them to a copy shop or something for lamination.”
“Nope, no need to do that,” Roberto declared. “We have a laminator here!”
“Perfect!” Sam exclaimed. “That way they will endure, look nice and hopefully encourage compliance with proper disposal.”
Key Considerations
- Starting with a small task may be the best way for your company to kick start its environmental program. Small victories!
- Education is free and is a small lift for employees to manage.
- Not all improvements come with a monetary cost. Some may even save you money in the long run.
What would you like to do next?
- Back to original story
- Path 1: Andrea, Roberto and Sam discuss sustainable coffee pod options for their SMB—some additional cost
- Path 2: Andrea, Roberto and Sam discuss ways to reduce their SMB’s printing of paper—some net savings
