15 Feb 2008 - Did you know… that 8.6 million tonnes of printing and writing paper enter the waste stream each year

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Wheeliebin Thursday 21 February sees Envirowise’s annual One Bin Day take place across the UK – and Yorkshire and Humber companies are once again being asked to get on board.

Thursday 21 February sees Envirowise’s annual One Bin Day take place across the UK – and Yorkshire and Humber companies are once again being asked to get on board.

 

 

Firms are challenged to remove all bins in the office except one on this day – to both encourage greater reuse and recycling, and to create a strong visual reminder of just how much waste staff produce in an average day.

 

 

As well as signing up to show that they taking part – by visiting www.envirowise.gov.uk/onebinday – the region’s offices can take a number of other actions on the day to improve resource efficiency in the office:

 

 
  • Use One Bin Day as an opportunity to conduct a quick office walk audit – walk around and identify the different waste types you produce

     

  • Speak to your staff and get their ideas for how to increase sustainability in the workplace – consider having an ‘ideas board’ where people can post suggestions

     

  • Designate one printer for internal office use only – and load it with misprinted (but still useable) paper

     

  • Think about how to make more of your office communication electronic – everything from company newsletters to holiday charts. The paperless office might still be within your grasp!

     

  • Cancel subscriptions to unwanted magazines and newsletters and hold a stationery amnesty to avoid unnecessary ordering

     

  • Check your recycling facilities – are they adequate, and do they cater for all your common waste types – paper, card, glass and metals?

     

 

Free advice and information on all aspects of sustainability is available at www.envirowise.gov.uk/onebinday or by calling the Envirowise advice line on 0800 585 794.

 

 

* Source: Defra, Industrial and commercial waste arisings by business sector and waste type (2002)

Picture provided by freefoto.com

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