Have you tried to get your office to cut back on some off the waste full things??

Question

Ok so my office supplies styrofoam cups, plastic forks, spoons and knifes..
I have aske the purchasing dept. to think about cutting all these waste full things out.. They all look at me like they are crazy..
Do they not see how much $$ it would save (company's perspective)
Do they not see all the waste we create??
I did suggest we all bring in our own coffee cups, water cups, and utensils for eatting..
They just don't get it??
Any suggestions?? How to cut out some of this waste we create just in the kitchen @ work??

Answer 1

yeah i have tried and it didnt work too well. i tried to use recycled paper from stuff we've printed on ..and we cant. darn it! the reason has to do with being audited or something.

Answer 2

I have worked at many places where the company had coffee cups made (with company logo)that we left at work that were for on site. We use to wash the plastic forks and knives too we only got new ones when they were broken but, that may be too advanced for your company. Bring your own you are only one person but,every person counts. If anyone says anything mention that you prefer a real cup because the outside doesn't get hot and if you set it down you know its yours and you aren't taking someone elses when you go back to it..(others might bring their own if the excuse is in their imediate best interest like avoiding co-worker cooties.

Answer 3

I brought in some of my old extra utensils and cups for at work, which I gave every free reign to use as long as they cleaned them after use. I notice more and more that people will use the real utensils as opposed to the plastic -- b/c its sturdier.

The dollar store also has plates for just a buck a piece. Maybe spend $5 bucks and bring them to work -- that way you can personally stop using the products and maybe others will fall in suit.

Answer 4

You need to set an example to them.I never had any company I worked for provide any kitchen items.We were given coffee but not anything else.Why not take to the person that handles that financial end and see if you can show him a profit if all took care of their own.It may help if you go the $$$$ way.I know many supervisors or managers are about the pocket change...

Answer 5

Buy Green!

I work at Office Depot, and for all our printing we use recycled paper! It makes a huge difference at our store...and its not just out store doing it, but all Office Depots!

In fact, we carry a lot of recycled products. When you go in, you should ask where the recycled paper is.

Also, you could order coffee cups with the company logo on it at Office Depot too! That way, the company could buy them really cheap for their employees! Its a great idea!

....sorry about sounding like a commercial.

Answer 6

Honestly, rather than waste my breath, I do something. I try to take all the stuff that they throw away and put it in my recycler at home. Don't get me wrong, they do some things, but I think it's a waste that they wont recycle plastic food containers...I rinse or wash them off, take them home and recycle them myself.

Answer 7

You could gather the data and predict the annual cost savings by doing this, but you'll have to remember to factor in washing the real dinnerware and the staff time to do that. Money talks and real numbers might get their attention.

Answer 8

If they don't already, they could recycle white paper (ie copier paper, etc)... They could set up boxes for white paper that will be sent to the recyclers.

I like your ideas for cutting down on waste.

Answer 9

I feel ya grrl.....Same thing @ my work too.. I mean they must not care, so I know I am doing my part... Some of the kool people I have bought them funny drinking glasses from the $1 store to try to encourage them to use!!
peAce~

Answer 10

i def think they would be more likely to listen to you if your SHOW how much money that would say them. I do think that the showing of actually number is much more persuasive then just running an idea by them!

Good luck!