During a busy work day recycling is not on most people’s minds, but recycling is a great way to reduce waste and help the environment. Recycling goes way beyond just throwing your used bottles in paper into a blue bin, recycling items such as office supplies can actually save you money. Here are 5 recycling tips you can use in your office to encourage and facilitate recycling in your office.

Recycle Office Supplies: Many office supplies like folders, paper clips and binders can be reused. It is important to identify which items in your office can be reused or recycled before you throw them away.  Reusing office supplies will cut down on waste and save you money spent buying new office supplies.

Reuse Plastics: Plastic items such as cups from the water cooler and plastic utensils you use during lunch can be washed in the sink. Instead of using a new cup every time you go to the water cooler, reuse the same cup you used before or bring a water bottle. Plastic utensils can also be rinsed with a little soap and water in a sink.

Use Both Sides of a Paper: You can reduce the amount of paper you use by 50% simply by using both sides of a piece of paper. If you hand write notes, instead of flipping to a new piece of paper simply write on the back. You will also want to check your printer settings to see if it is possible to print on both sides of a paper. Using both sides of paper will cut your paper waste in half and save you money spent on paper!

Clearly Mark Recycling Bins: The easier recycling bins are to find and identify the more likely your employees will use them. Different recycling bins are used for different items so it is important to clearly mark bins are for paper, bottles and cans. You will also want to separate recycling bins from the garbage cans so people do not throw their trash into a recycling bin.

Actively Promote Office Recycling: There are many ways offices are getting creative and promoting recycling in the office. For example, similar to the swear jar concept, if you are caught not recycling you have to put a dollar into the recycle jar. Businesses have also held recycling contest to reward employees that recycle paper, bottles and cans.