Why workplace recycling fails (and how to fix it)

Save your business extra costs and keep operations running smoothly with these practical tips.

Hopefully, by the time you read this article, you’ve already seen our last one (‘Think you know office bins? Take the quick quiz!’), which tested readers’ knowledge of which rubbish goes in which bin. In this article, we’ll explore common recycling mistakes and how to get it right.

Why should I care, you might ask? Because proper sorting can save organisations money and keep operations running smoothly, especially with the upcoming Simpler Recycling rules for businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees taking effect at the end of March 2027. No potential legal headaches and fines down the line. No missed collections and no wasting of valuable staff time.

The root cause of workplace recycling issues is rarely bad intent, but that staff are left guessing in front of poorly labelled, inconsistent bins.

Here are common issues and suggested practical changes based on SUEZ’s workplace guidance that take out the guesswork and keep your collections running as they should:

Takeaway packaging and missing signs

When bins lack clear labels, people assume single-use coffee cups, sweets wrappers, tissues and crisp packets belong in mixed recycling. They do not. You can stop the guessing by printing straightforward visual posters right by the bins that clearly show what goes in and what stays out.

Food containers in the caddy

Food caddies are meant for plate scrapings, fruit peelings, meat, coffee grounds and compostable tea bags. Contamination happens when staff toss their food in while it is still sitting inside plastic containers or film wrappers. Keep the rule posted directly on the caddy lid: if it isn’t edible, it doesn’t belong inside.

Glass recycling tips

Glass can be tricky! Different recycling services have their own rules about this. Some welcome glass bottles in their mixed recycling bins, while others ask you to keep those out. Either way, ordinary drinking glasses, Pyrex or mirrors are a no-go as they can mess up whole batches. The safest bet? Use a clearly marked glass bin strictly for bottles and jars where possible and remind everyone to pop off the lid before tossing them in. When in doubt, a quick check with your local waste collection or recycling provider will save you lots of headache later on.

The black bag and battery trap

Don’t bag your recycling in black bin bags. Black bags cannot be recycled and belong strictly in the general waste bin. When collecting recycling, keep items loose rather than tied inside black plastic bags. Swap to transparent sacks or unlined bins for recycling, remind staff to peel off plastic films into general waste, leave plastic bottle caps on so they get recycled and arrange separate disposal for batteries and tech. DO NOT drop your old batteries or used vapes into regular waste or recycling bins – they need a specialist recycling service.

When waste is sorted correctly, the payoff is substantial. Recyclables can be turned into notepads, park benches and even construction materials. Food waste sent to anaerobic digestion facilities can generate electricity and heat for homes and businesses. Glass melts down repeatedly into fresh jars and bottles without losing quality.

Office teamwork makes the bins work. Rally your colleagues around these simple habits to keep everyday operations running smoothly, protect your business from needless hassle and show your community that your business walks the walk on workplace sustainability.

(*This article is part of SUEZ's Sort It Out series-practical guidance helping businesses manage workplace waste, reduce costs and ensure compliance. Find out more atSUEZ’s commercial waste management services in the South Westor call 0800 990 3713.)