Every business, organization, and individual is guilty of causing plastic waste. Single-use plastic waste is projected to continue increasing over the coming years, with 40 percent of the plastic we currently produce being packaging that’s immediately thrown away, according to National Geographic.
If you want to make sure that your business does its part in changing this narrative, keep reading to find out how your organization can reduce plastic waste and recycle the plastic you do use the right way.
Say No to Single-Use Plastic
For many businesses, single-use plastic is easily avoidable. There are numerous simple reusable substitutions that can both eliminate the plastic you use in your office and the plastic you provide to customers.
For example, you can replace single-use plastic bags with reusable bags and coffee pods with a glass coffee maker that doesn’t require a pod.
Take steps to examine where your business is using single-use plastic, unnecessary plastic packaging, and so on. Once you’re aware of where you’re wasting plastic, you can then make a plan to eliminate it. This can include plastic straws, individual coffee creamers, and plastic water bottles.
Consider having a conversation with your suppliers or vendors about the way they package their shipments. Perhaps they could cut out or cut down on their plastic film wrapping around pallets, or replace packaging peanuts with recyclable paper.
Set Up a Deposit-Return Scheme
A deposit-return scheme (DRS) allows consumers to pay a small “deposit” when they purchase a plastic product. When the item is returned, the consumer gets the deposit back and your business can reuse or recycle the item properly.
A DRS can be governmentally mandated, or set up by individual businesses. England announced that all drink containers are covered by a DRS. Germany established a DRS in 2003 and today, 99% of plastic bottles are recycled.
Depending on your business, a DRS may make sense. Grocery stores, convenience stores, and other businesses that provide consumers with goods in plastic could set up their own DRS processes.
Learn to Decipher Plastic Recycling Symbols
Sometimes using plastic is unavoidable. If you do have to recycle plastic, here’s a simple guide to what the different plastic recycling symbols mean:
- Symbol 1, PETE or PET: Polyethylene Terephthalate. This includes things like soda, juice, and water bottles.
- Symbol 2, HDPE: High-Density Polyethylene. This includes milk jugs, cleaning products, and personal hygiene product bottles.
- Symbol 3, PVC or V: Polyvinyl Chloride. This includes clear food packaging, siding, and windows.
- Symbol 4, LDPE: Low-Density Polyethylene. This includes shopping bags and squeezable bottles.
- Symbol 5, PP: Polypropylene. This includes toys, syrup bottles, medicine bottles, and straws.
- Symbol 6, PS: Polystyrene. This includes hard packaging, CD cases, takeout containers, and egg cartons.
- Symbol 7, Miscellaneous: This is a miscellaneous category that includes large gallon water bottles, computer cases, and nylon.
Picture-based, color-coordinated signage is one of the best ways to build recycling habits and educate employees. Nonprofit organization Recycle Across America created the society-wide standardized labels for bins. The labels eliminate confusion at the bin, making it easy for people to recycle more while also reducing contamination. Recycle Across America offers labels for all sorting requirements, as well as custom solutions for unique sorting systems and bins.
Just because a plastic item has one of the above symbols on it doesn’t mean it will be accepted by your curbside recycling program. Learn about your local laws and contact your hauler for more information.
Be Proud of Your Plastic-Free Progress
While some businesses simply aim to recycle more, other businesses choose to set defined sustainability goals. Programs such as the TRUE Zero Waste Certification system are designed to help businesses and facilities of all types define, pursue, and achieve their zero waste goals.
When a business sends less than 10 percent of its municipal solid waste (MSW) stream to landfills or incinerators, it has achieved zero waste. Your waste partner or third-party sustainability partner can help you determine how to structure goals that make sense for your business, and define what success means for your organization.
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Not quite done with learning about how to reduce plastic waste? Check out the RUBICONMethod. Then, check out our podcast episode with Lonely Whale, the organization that started the Strawless in Seattle campaign to eliminate plastic straws.
If you would like to learn more about Rubicon’s sustainability offerings, please reach out to Rubicon’s Sustainability team directly at sustainability@rubicon.com, or contact our sales team at (844) 479-1507.
Ashby Addiss is a Senior Specialist, Marketing & Creative at Rubicon. To stay ahead of Rubicon’s announcements of new partnerships and collaborations around the world, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, or contact us today.
