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Reduce, reuse, recycle

An average office could save thousands of pounds a year just by using both sides of A4 paper!

Here are our top tips to help you reduce, reuse and recycle your office waste:

Reduce

Only print what you really need, often emails get printed unnecessarily for filing when you can just as easily store them in electronic files or in your mailbox.
Use paper on both sides and set your printer and photo copier to print double-sided.
See if you can arrange a deal with your suppliers to reduce or reuse packaging. Make sure any unavoidable packaging is recyclable whenever possible.
Use reusable kitchenware such as mugs, plates and cutlery, get your daily milk delivered in bottles by the milkman and avoid buying individually wrapped items like sugar sachets.
Buy concentrated cleaning materials in bulk.

Reuse

Reuse your envelopes for not so important mail.
If paper has only been used on one side, use it to print out drafts or internal documents.
Try and find new uses for packaging before you throw it away. For example use boxes in your storage room or yoghurt pots to grow office herbs.
Try to repair office furniture or computer equipment. Local community groups or charities may be able to help with repairs or they can re-home or sell on unneeded equipment.

Recycle
Recycle any unavoidable waste. Find out how to Set up a recycling scheme at work.

Every year two million working computers end up in landfill in the UK.