Office waste prevention is becoming increasingly important in the Netherlands, both from an environmental and legislative perspective. You are encouraged to embrace sustainable practices and reduce waste.

A task not to be ignored in the office

It may not immediately be the most enjoyable task on Office of Facility Managers' to-do list, but waste prevention cannot be ignored within the office environment. Paper waste, plastic containers, electronic waste and food scraps are just a few of the many types of waste generated daily in offices.

Getting this right is not only of sustainable importance, but by managing waste more efficiently you can also reduce costs. It's about more than simply sorting into different bins, but also about reducing paper use, recycling materials, avoiding single-use plastics and implementing energy-efficient measures.

Now it's no secret that we are advocates of using less packaging in the office in the first place. Because if they're not there, there's no way they're ever going to end up in our natural environment AND less waste means less work (and money).

Meanwhile, there are many initiatives that offer packaging-free alternatives in the office. You can read more about them in this blog.

Legislation and guidelines in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, there are several laws and guidelines that encourage your company to promote waste prevention in the office. One of the most important laws in this area is the Environmental Management Act. This law sets requirements for companies regarding waste management and obliges them to take measures to prevent and reduce waste. (Which?)

There is also the Activities Decree, which contains specific regulations regarding waste prevention and management. Among other things, this law requires waste to be separated and recycled, if possible.

Furthermore, the government encourages participation in initiatives such as the Green Deal, in which companies make voluntary agreements to reduce their ecological impact. Subsidies are also available for those who invest in sustainable waste prevention solutions.

Some practical steps

To effectively implement waste prevention in the office, companies can take several practical steps:

1. Digitize whenever possible - this way paper use can be minimized
2. Include your employees or colleagues in the story - something like this is not just the job of the office or facility manager, but something you need to engage with the whole team.
3. Waste separation and recycling: Provide clear bins for different types of waste, such as paper, plastic, glass and organic waste. Encourage employees to separate waste correctly.
4. Last but not least, if there is no waste - neither should it be sorted. So provide reusable alternatives.

Waste prevention is a task often relegated to the sidelines, but certainly not unimportant. By embracing it and doing the right thing, you can contribute to a cleaner world and make money. The office is a place where we spend so much time so it is not unimportant to set an example there as well. Good luck!

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