Business waste - reduce the amount you produce

Think before you throw ... and think before you buy!

Here are some general tips on how to reduce your businesses waste

• Buy only what you need.  Think of stock control and how to streamline processes across departments

• Look at your purchasing policy. For example, could you buy recycled or recycled content paper instead of virgin paper?

• Purchase products without excessive packaging whenever possible

• Consider buying photocopiers and printers with double sided printing capabilities

• When buying new equipment, consider durability, equipment that costs more initially could save you money in the long run in terms of replacement and disposal

• Ask staff and colleagues to think before they throw - someone else may be able to use old or used items

• Share resources in the office where possible, such as staplers and hole punches

• Print out documents only when you have to and, if you do, print on both sides of the paper

• Add a message to the bottom of all your emails which says 'don't print this email out unless absolutely necessary' to encourage colleagues and customers to think before they print

• If you have a water fountain or cooler, bring in your own glass or bottle and keep refilling this rather than using disposable plastic cups, which can be hard to recycle

• Use notice boards or email rather than sending paper memos to other staff

• Cancel unnecessary magazine subscriptions

• Use solar powered items such as calculators, as this helps to reduce battery waste