So you might have successfully tackled the zero-waste lifestyle at home, but what about your office? Maybe you’re not ready to ride your bike to work every day and that’s okay. We get it – creating a sustainable lifestyle isn’t easy, but here are a few tips on reducing your waste in the work place.

Keep a water bottle at your desk

Globally, humans buy 1 million plastic bottles every minute – and what’s even more shocking is that this number isn’t slowing down anytime soon. However, small changes can start with how you choose to stay hydrated at work. With all the different types of water bottles out there, finding one to suit your needs should not be difficult!

Reusable coffee cup*

Are you the type of person who’s already onto your second cup of coffee by the time you get to work? We have a solution for you – reusable coffee cups. Whether you’ve got an espresso machine at work or you’re a regular at your favourite coffee shop joint, a reusable coffee cup is the answer to your zero-waste dreams. They’re perfect for quick refills, grabbing-and-going when you’re running to a meeting, and rest assured you coffee will stay hot for a solid few hours when you’re knee-deep in your work and have forgotten about your cup of coffee beside you!

*Reusable cups also work for tea!

Use ceramic dishes and silverware

If you’re lucky enough to have ceramic dishes and silverware provided for you at work, swapping out plastic containers and cutlery should be easy. According to One Green Planet, 6 million tonnes of single-use plastics get thrown out every year! But if your workplace relies on BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) and BYOC (Bring Your Own Cutlery), Tupperware may come in handy… and we mean glass Tupperware > plastic Tupperware.

Pack your own lunch

Now, we know packing your own lunch requires a bit of preparation and planning but it can help you avoid creating waste and save you money! To avoid plastic, pack your lunch in glass or metal containers… or even mason jars when you’re transporting messy meals.

Use biodegradable dishwasher tablets or dish soap

If your workplace is lucky enough to have a dishwasher or sink to wash your grubby plates and bowls, opt for biodegradable dishwasher tablets or dish soap. EcoStore’s Dishwasher Tablets uses plant and mineral based ingredients with boosted oxygen for tough stain removal. The tablets are also zero-mess as they are individually wrapped in PVA biodegradable wrapper that dissolves in your machine. The Australian Natural Soap Co.’s Dish & Laundry Soap has the benefits of all natural soap flakes in one convenient soap block. It’s made from 100% biodegradable ingredients, plus it can also be used to clean surfaces around your office kitchen.

Keep a reusable bag in your desk

Who doesn’t love a good reusable bag? There’s nothing better than needing to run to the shops during lunch break and remembering you keep a bag or two in your drawer. Plus, this is a great way to reduce your plastic bag consumption.