Weekly Recycling Challenge: Start Off Your Day the Green Way

Weekly Recycling Challenge: Start Off Your Day the Green Way

In this series, we’ll be giving you inspiration on how you can challenge yourself to recycle more and generally live a greener life.

When it comes to being green, some of us are pretty good, some of us admit that we’re not that great, and some of us are just confused about the whole thing, but don’t worry, we’re here to make living a more sustainable life easier!

This week’s challenge is to start off your day the green way.

Okay, we know that you just about manage to prize your eyes open after a late night on Netflix or scrolling through social media, but there are some easy ways to go about your morning routine while doing your bit for the planet!

Save water

When you have your morning shower, try and spend no longer than a few minutes, washing and scrubbing to save water. Did you know that during the average shower, you get through 50 litres of water? Similarly, don’t let the tap run while you’re brushing your teeth.

Choose recyclable bathroom products

What are you using in the shower? Opt for products housed in recyclable packaging or that have a generous recycled material content.

Have an eco-friendly brekkie

Choose cereals with the least packaging possible. The packaging it does have should be recyclable. Some supermarkets like Waitrose allow customers to fill up their own containers full of items like cereals from big instore drums.

If you can, get your fruit and veg from local markets. This preserves the nutrients and reduces the carbon emissions that would have been produced by flying or shipping it thousands of miles.

Pack an environmentally-friendly lunch

Making your own lunch and taking it to work in a reusable container is healthier, cheaper, and much better for the planet. Just think of how much packaging goes into the bin after your standard lunch of a sandwich, crisps, and bottle or can of Coke!

Remember to take a refillable water bottle instead of relying on plastic bottles. You’ll save loads of cash and you won’t be adding to the plastic problem.

Travel sustainably

Ideally, walk, cycle, or take public transport to work, but if you have to take the car, try car-pooling with colleagues. Anything that gets at least some cars off the road helps to reduce carbon emissions.

Ditch the disposable coffee cups

If you need your fix of caffeine before you head into the office, we don’t blame you. But disposable coffee cups are very difficult to recycle and often end up in landfill, so invest in a reusable coffee cup. It’s better for the environment and for your pocket-most of the big high street coffee chains now offer discounts to people who use reusable cups.

 

Disposable Coffee Cups

 

Keep up the good work once you reach the office

Once you reach the office, your good habits don’t have to stop there. There are plenty of ways that you can be greener at work, and you might just inspire others to do the same.

  • Save scrap paper from the bin by reusing it for lists and notes
  • Print double-sided where you can
  • Think before you print or post a document-could you call, email, or even see the intended recipient face to face instead?
  • Turn off lights in rooms that aren’t being used
  • Recycle wherever possible-if there’s no recycling scheme at your workplace, why not set one up? Even a few strategically placed recycling bins here and there can make a big difference to the amount of waste that’s produced.

Our office recycling bins make it easy for everyone to get involved in creating a greener workplace. We’ve got recycling bins to suit every budget and every office; whether you need waste recycling bins, or bins to collect drinks cups or confidential paper that’s destined for an industrial shredder, we’ve got you covered!

Our office recycling bins are not only great news for the planet, they’re good for business too. When clients and customers see that you take recycling seriously, it’s great for your reputation (not to mention recycling can seriously reduce your waste management costs!)

We hope we’ve inspired you to start your day off the green way. Watch out for more weekly and monthly challenges aimed at making the planet a better place.

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