Using less plastic @ the workplace: Brunel Middle East & India
Businesses have a huge opportunity to make an impact in reducing plastic waste. Read how Brunel Middle East & India's offices are taking small steps in their plastic usage to make a big difference for the planet.
More and more people are making efforts to minimise their plastic usage and waste in their homes. However, businesses are well-placed to make a huge difference when it comes to reducing the plastic burden on the environment. Cutting plastic usage at a business level results in significant reductions in plastic waste while creating an effect of positive change among colleagues, customers, suppliers and the wider community.
As part of Plastic Free July®, Ruby Ramchandran, Qatar office, shares the efforts at the workplace of our Middle East & India region since 2019.
"Some of our colleagues were inspired to take these new habits into their personal lives as well"
The Brunel Middle East & India region’s staff keeps taking little steps to ensure its commitment to planet initiatives do not take a back seat. In the region we embarked on no plastic and save energy initiatives.
All offices swung into action. We replaced all plastic water bottles from our desks with glass bottles. Instead of using bottled mineral water, the team was encouraged to fill their glass bottles from the water dispensing machine. We used metal wastepaper baskets and biodegradable garbage bags. Staff was encouraged to avoid using any plastic cutlery or lunch boxes, replacing them with glass or metal lunch boxes and steel or ceramic ware. Also, we advised the staff to carry re-usable canvas or paper bags to carry items to the office instead of plastic. Upon ordering delivery food from restaurants, we would opt for no plastic cutlery. As a result, some of our colleagues were inspired to take these new habits into their personal lives as well.
Last year, our daily lives metamorphosed into unexpected series of lockdowns and quarantines. On a positive note, full-time working from home did accustom the team to use less or no paper. Our IT team estimated the reduction in the usage of cartridge ink by over 70% in the last year. Additionally, some of our entities moved into smaller spaces; staff has lessened their commutes or continue to work from home, contributing to energy savings. With the emergence of the hybrid working model, there is only a limited section of office in use. Our employees are conscious of limiting air conditioning and lights to a specific area and not switched on for the entire office.
The pandemic lingers, but we continue to achieve small milestones to create a remarkable change in the future.
Plastic Free July® @ the workplace. Where can you start?