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First Steps for a Greener Workplace in the New Year!
The new year is a great time to set sustainability goals! While long-term initiatives take time and commitment, progress does not have to feel overwhelming. Whether you are a solo entrepreneur or part of a larger organization, starting small can help set 2026 on the right track and build momentum for more projects later in the year. Here are some simple sustainability improvements that are achievable from day one!
Self-Audit & Start Tracking Progress
What gets measured gets done! Start by reviewing any 2025 data you may have, then commit to tracking a few clear and consistent metrics in the year ahead. This could be anything from pounds of office batteries recycled to the number of trash pickups reduced annually. Even basic tracking can help demonstrate progress and inform future decisions.
Next, compare results to previous years to identify trends. Did landfilled waste increase or decrease? Did you see any improvements after a making a change? Keep in mind that office moves, staffing changes, or operational shifts can all influence your numbers.
If you are not already tracking waste generation or diversion, ask your hauler for a summary of your 2025 collections or estimate it internally to establish a solid baseline. You can calculate estimated annual waste by multiplying the number of containers by container size, average fullness, and the number of collections per year. To take your tracking a step further, free tools like the EPA’s WARM (Waste Reduction Model) or ReFED’s Impact Calculator can help translate these numbers into estimated greenhouse gas emissions prevented.
Food for Thought
No matter the size of your business, you can have an impact. For example, if an office suite filled a one-gallon container with used coffee grounds and brought it to a CSWD Drop-off Center once per week, that alone would equal 52 gallons of food waste saved from the landfill annually. Now imagine what you could save by cleaning out the staff fridge!
Refresh Office Recycling Bins
Confirm that all recycling and trash bins are clearly labeled and placed in convenient, shared locations. If your business handles food or staff eat onsite, ensure food waste collection bins are available in all kitchens or dining areas.
To help you get started, CSWD’s Waste Reduction Grant can be used to cover up to 50% of the costs for new waste stations. You can also request free informational materials here. For smaller offices where food waste is minimal, a formal pack-in, pack-out policy with posted reminders, can help reduce waste in shared kitchen or break areas.
Declutter with Purpose
Decluttering does not need to be wasteful. Reframe it as an opportunity to easily recycle unusable items and redistribute or donate anything that still has a purpose! For an office-wide cleanout, set up clearly labeled bins in a shared space, making sure to separate each kind of material into their own categories. This process can also highlight items that are frequently over-ordered or wasted, such as unnecessary printouts, and help reduce future purchases.
Office Cleanout Categories:
- Non-confidential paper waste
- Documents for shredding
- Metal (racks and folder tabs)
- Plastic bags, shrink wrap, and bubble wrap
- Electronics and cables
- Branded stationary
- Donatable supplies: pens, binders, folders, frames, and working tech accessories
Make Sustainable Swaps
Small changes can add up over time, and many waste-reducing options are also cost-effective in the long run! Start the year with one or two green purchasing improvements and see how you can save.
- Use products with take-back programs: Items such as ink and toner cartridges and plastic shipping envelopes can often be returned for special recycling. Check with office supply vendors or explore mail-back programs to identify additional diversion opportunities.
- Prioritize reuse: Local stores such as Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, and the Vermont State Surplus Program have a consistent selection of secondhand office furniture and supplies, and often for less than you would pay elsewhere. Larger businesses may also “shop” internally by starting an office-wide reuse system, where staff can take or leave gently used supplies.
- Find refillable options: Pens, planners, tape dispensers, toner cartridges, and soap can often be refilled instead of replaced. If you haven’t made the switch already, give it a try!
- Choose recycled content: Many brands of printer paper, boxes, and office supplies are made with post-consumer or post-industrial recycled materials. Check what you currently purchase and source alternatives if needed.
Build or Re-energize a Green Team
If your workplace does not already have a sustainability lead or green team, bring together a small group to review current practices and identify manageable improvements. Even modest, well-chosen actions can lead to lasting impact.
CSWD offers free guidance, tools, and activities to help your team get started! For business support, reach out to Gabriella Stevens (gstevens@cswd.net).
Remember, a few small changes can be a meaningful first step towards a more sustainable business. CSWD is here to provide practical support and resources to help your office build strong programs and better habits in the new year. To receive more waste reduction tips, CSWD announcements, and local news sign up for CSWD’s Quarterly Business Newsletter!