Business organizations have a significant influence on individual behavior and culture, as companies and brands shape trends and patterns. Thanks to their interconnectedness and networks, businesses have a strong potential to actively contribute through concrete actions and innovation to solving one of the world’s biggest challenges — plastic pollution in seas and oceans.
While 40% of total plastic waste consists of single-use plastic products, single-use plastics make up about 86% of total marine litter.
Sunce has launched the national campaign “Together without plastic” with the goal of reducing pollution from single-use plastics. The campaign includes educational activities, exhibitions, promotion of alternatives to single-use plastics, and encouragement for local communities and businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
Why is it important for companies to take responsibility for reducing plastic?
Social responsibility
Business organizations have a major impact on society. By taking responsibility for reducing plastic in their operations, companies demonstrate care for the environment and the community. This not only reduces their own environmental footprint but also sets a positive example for other organizations and encourages broader societal change. By introducing responsible practices, companies can also enhance their reputation among consumers and clients, who increasingly value sustainability and environmental initiatives.
Employee health
Reducing plastic in the workplace can directly improve employee health. For example, minimizing the use of single-use plastic items such as bottles, food containers, cutlery, tea bags, and other disposable products can reduce exposure to harmful chemicals found in plastics, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and PFAS compounds. Did you know that most paper cups used in workplaces actually contain plastic and other additives harmful to health?
Employee education
By implementing sustainable principles, companies also educate their employees. These educational efforts not only improve internal company culture but can extend their influence to employees’ families, friends, and the wider community. Sunce carries out a range of educational activities that contribute to societal change — something every community should strive for.
How to create a plastic-free office?
1. Responsible water use
Provide employees with access to drinking water from taps or water dispensers. Use reusable or glass cups instead of paper ones, as paper cups contain plastic. Reduce the use of plastic bottles for water, juices, and similar drinks, and if they are necessary, ensure proper recycling.
2. Proper waste separation
Remove individual desk bins and set up central waste stations with separate recycling containers. To ensure proper sorting, provide bins for each type of waste (paper, recyclable plastic, glass, non-recyclable plastic, biodegradable waste, electronics, etc.). Add informative posters or labels explaining which waste goes where.
3. Sustainable coffee preparation and consumption
If you have coffee machines, provide reusable cups for everyone. Eliminate single-use coffee capsules and milk portions. Instead, opt for machines that use ground coffee or coffee beans in larger packaging (and don’t forget the traditional “Turkish coffee in a džezva”).
4. Reusable cutlery and dishes for employees
Provide employees with reusable cutlery and dishes (typically made of steel) for use during various occasions (birthdays, business events, etc.).
5. Environmentally responsible food delivery
When ordering food, choose suppliers who use environmentally friendly packaging instead of plastic or polystyrene. An additional criterion can be sourcing ingredients from local producers.
Photo source: Canva
6. Separation and management of bio-waste
If possible, separate bio-waste, which makes up about 40% of mixed municipal waste. You can do this using designated bins according to local utility guidelines or use small composting bins in the office and arrange for regular disposal at local composting facilities, for example in cooperation with local food producers. Sunce’s partner Reencel offers a wide selection of composters suitable for office use, and Sunce members receive special benefits when purchasing these products.
7. Sustainable promotional materials
Avoid plastic-based promotional materials. Use recycled paper, wood, glass, ceramics, or other environmentally friendly materials.
What does a plastic-free office mean?
A plastic-free office does not mean completely eliminating all plastic products overnight. Instead, it involves a thoughtful and gradual reduction of unnecessary plastic in daily operations. The focus is on replacing single-use products with more durable and environmentally friendly alternatives, changing employee habits, and creating a workplace that encourages responsible environmental behavior.
Small but consistent changes in offices can have a significant cumulative impact, especially when embraced by all employees.
By establishing clear rules, providing the necessary infrastructure, and continuously educating employees, companies can reduce waste, optimize costs, and contribute to environmental protection. A plastic-free office thus becomes part of a broader sustainability strategy and an important step toward more responsible resource management.
Cover photo source: Pexels