How to transform your workplace into a Sustainability Hub

Landfill might be perceived as the place you bury unwanted stuff, but if not properly separated perfectly good resources can end up underground. Some countries are reclaiming materials through a process called landfill mining due to a lack of space to expand their dumpsites and to recover a high concentration of valuable recyclable resources buried.

The team at Teach Starter is committed to minimising its impact on the environment. One of the actions we have taken in working towards a green future is to implement a thorough waste management system at our Brisbane, Australia office to ensure resources are properly separated. It’s been a long journey and we still have room for improvement but we are well on the way to implementing a sustainable approach to waste minimisation.

In 2017–18, business across Queensland generated approximately 2.9 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste, with less than 50% of this recovered.

A Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Recycling and Waste in QLD 2018 report highlights that in 2017–18, business across Queensland generated approximately 2.9 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste, with less than 50% of this recovered. To avoid unnecessary resources being sent to landfill, Teach Starter implemented a series of positive actions at our Brisbane office, where we have 36 employees. Initiatives include implementing an industrial compost collection, separating soft plastic, providing reusable cups and food containers, battery collection, office supplies collection and an education program.

Compost

Teach Starter poster about Why we should compost. Contains illustrations of characters practicing composting.
Teach Starter poster about Why we should compost. Contains illustrations of characters practicing composting.
A sustainability poster set to use when explaining why food scraps being sent to landfills can be damaging to our environment. This primary school resource is available at Teach Starter website.

Soft plastic

Batteries

TerraCycle

Educational program

This poster shows the recycling process so primary students are aware of the importance of recycling. Teach Starter not only recycle its workplace waste but also helps educate future generations through its resources.

While Teach Starter is a step closer to becoming a sustainability hub we intend to improve our present initiatives and implement new ones to help our team act sustainably at the workplace and outside of it.

We hope that this information will facilitate your business journey through waste minimisation. Some of the services and links in this article are related to Brisbane only.

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