We want to help businesses manage their office waste properly. If your office has ten or more people working in it then you’re legally obliged to segregate office waste. That means separate disposal of food waste, plastics, cardboards, and general waste. You can find more information about the UK waste regulations on the .gov website.
Question One – Can you eat it?
If YES: Place it in the Food Waste Bin (use a small food caddy if one is available – pssst, there probably is one).
Examples: leftover food, fruit peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, crumbs, and other edible waste.
If NO: Proceed to Question Two.
Question Two – Did it contain food or drink?
If YES: Place it in the General Waste Bin (unless you are prepared to rinse it clean, that is).
Examples: takeaway boxes, fast-food containers, used coffee cups, sandwich wrappers, greasy packaging, or pizza boxes.
If NO: Proceed to Question Three.
Question Three – Is the material is it plastic, metal, cardboard, or glass?
If it’s clean and empty plastic or metal: Place in the Mixed Recycling Bin.
Examples: plastic bottles, drink cans, tins, foil trays, rinsed food containers.
Reminder, if it is dirty, greasy, or contaminated then it belongs in the General Waste Bin!
If it’s clean and dry cardboard or paper: Place in the Cardboard Recycling Bin.
Examples: cardboard boxes (flattened), paper sheets, clean packaging sleeves.
Reminder, if it is dirty, greasy, or contaminated with food residue then it belongs in the General Waste Bin!
If it’s clean glass: Place in the Glass Recycling Bin (if available).
Examples: bottles, jars (rinsed).
If broken or contaminated: Place in the General Waste Bin or request safe removal by the cleaning team.
Are you still unsure?
If you are uncertain which bin to use then just put it the item in General Waste rather than risk contaminating recycling streams. Every incorrect item can contaminate an entire waste stream, so taking a few extra seconds to check before disposing makes the workplace cleaner, safer, and more sustainable.
