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By Henry Brown

Businesses need to work towards sustainability, and one of the classic methods of fighting against waste would hands-down be recycling. Customers are becoming more conscious of their decisions, especially regarding what they buy and consume. They want to support businesses helping the environment rather than harming the environment.

So, how can small businesses become more eco-friendly? While there are numerous methods for conserving energy, using less plastic, and avoiding single-use items, one of the best methods would be recycling and upcycling. So, here are some ways that your business can do this!

Show appreciation for recycling efforts

Depending on your organizational culture, it may or may not be possible to tout your company’s environmental credentials to your employees. Consider implementing an incentive program if you need help convincing your employees to get into the green habit. A well-planned incentive program will make your employees want to do the right thing. Your employees should be rewarded for a job well done. This can be done in a variety of ways.

A small incentive can be as simple as a reward for an employee’s participation in a recycling program. Using an incentive program can also motivate employees to rethink their trash habits. Using a reward program can make your employees more productive while at the same time reducing your employees’ environmental footprint.

If you are not environmentally conscientious, you might consider putting together a green slammin’ team of employees to help you out with things such as cleaning, separating for the recycling bin, and taking items to the local scrap yard. These types of employees can be found in a variety of industries.

Create a waste reduction and recycling team

Creating a waste reduction and recycling team in your business is a great way to reduce waste and promote sustainability. It can also lower costs in various business areas, including building maintenance, equipment maintenance, and shipping. It can also be a great way to earn extra money.

First, you should identify what kinds of waste you are currently producing. This can be done by conducting a walk-through of your building. This will help you determine which materials are not recyclable and which ones you can recycle. Afterward, as the business owner, you will need to set goals for your recycling program. This is an important step because it can help you prioritize your activities. It can also help you get more support from your top management. Overall, this will show the commitment you and the business have to sustainability.

Encourage employees to recycle

Creating a recycling program or even making it easier for employees to recycle is a good way to encourage employees. This way, everyone in the office can work together to meet the goals for sustainability. This could be something as simple as getting a recycling bin (or multiple), or even something further like getting compost bins too. It’s safe to say that a little can certainly go a long way, especially if it slowly gets ingrained into the company culture.

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Henry Brown is an online marketing executive. When he isn’t talking shop, he’s roaming the streets of London, uncovering the extra-ordinary in the ordinary.