5 Steps for Ditching Plastic at Work

Plastics are everywhere, including all around our workplaces. Workplace plastics come in the form of disposable flatware, excessive wrappings for individual portions, plastics used for grab & go convenience and more. That bottle of water is easy to grab on the way to the meeting.

​If you work in a business or attend a school or university, you’re in a great position to make changes with far-reaching and long-lasting impact simply because of the scale of your organization. So how can you change the plastic culture at your office?

​Think about investing in a set of inexpensive flatware, plates and bowls for use in the kitchen. Are there items in the office that don’t need to be individually wrapped? Perhaps some stock products can be found wrapped in recyclable paper rather than plastic?

In a blog on Less Plastic in the UK, Amanda Keetly shares tips for going plastic-free in the workplace, referring to what she calls, “The Plastic Game Changer 5 Ps’.”

1. Picture - Create a shared vision with your colleagues of what reducing plastic in the workplace looks like. You can even invite an expert, like Waste Reduction Partners locally, to help you assess your office’s plastic use or screen a movie. My favorite is inspiring people by doing a clean-up project together. GreenWorks would love to help you organize something to energize your team.
2. Plot - This could be a job for the office numbers person. Plot your office’s plastic usage. How much are you using each week? What is it costing? How will choosing alternatives change those costs?
3. Pledge - Make a commitment to reducing plastic and make it public. Encourage your office mates to join you in the Mind Your Plastic May Challenge. Once you’ve made an office-wide commitment, be sure to share in your newsletter and on social media. You’ll be more accountable and your clients will applaud your efforts.
4. Plan - Encourage creative ideas for reducing plastic from your colleagues and develop a plan to implement them. Be sure to include ways to measure your progress.
5. Promote - Share your success and inspire others to join you in #goingplasticfree

And, let’s add a sixth P to the list. PARTY! Celebrate being a Plastic Game Changer. This work isn’t easy. Have some plastic-free fun to celebrate your accomplishments.

Danise Hauser
GreenWorks Office Associate