Recycling of paper in business: initiate the movement

Each year, an employee can throw up to 85 kg of papers as part of his work. This volume encompasses documents, boxes, packaging, etc. However, professionals recycle barely 20 % of this type of waste. This waste is really alarming in a context of climate crisis.

It is therefore urgent to promote good habits such as selective sorting and business recycling.

Why recycle paper into a company ?

THE Business paper recycling is above all a question of common sense. Indeed, this type of waste constitutes 75 % of the content of office trash cans in France, according to ADEME. Each employee also throw the equivalent of 30 paper towels per year on average (about 75 kg).

Thus, private and public office papers represent 900,000 tonnes of waste each year.

To measure the extent of the mess, this amount of waste is equivalent to 90 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower. However, the company will in one way or another finance the collection and treatment of these garbage. Transport is also a significant expenditure position of your containers at the discharge.

With the recycling, You avoid superfluous spending and support new waste management activities.

On the other hand, paper stands out as a decisive waste position to limit its environmental impact. Paper recycling will reduce national CO2 emissions by 390,000 tonnes per year, according to Ademe. This volume is equivalent to theAnnual carbon footprint of 200,000 cars. In addition, recycled paper helps save energy and natural resources (water and wood).

You will also improve your image through these solidarity and eco -responsible actions.

Recycling of paper in business: how to do ?

You don’t necessarily need to review your entire organization to define a process of Business paper recycling. You only have to be clear, consistent and methodical to promote personnel commitment. To start, you have to make an inventory.

You must in particular assess your volume of daily waste to determine the size of the bins and the frequency of the collections.

The second step is to Find the provider who will take care of the removal and treatment of waste. To choose your interlocutor, do not hesitate to make a comparison between companies and the offers on the market. The price is obviously important in this approach.

However, it is also important to collaborate with actors sharing the values of your business.

Reducing your paper consumption is possible. Reduce its digital imprint L’is also. Some municipalities offer collection and recycling services of papers. Remember to check the existence of these devices in your city. After this step, work on the Visibility of equipment and sorting instructions.

Install them well evident in the business premises, preferably near printers and photocopiers. Finally, take care of your communication and awareness method.

A legal obligation ?

THE corporate paper recycling East compulsory for any structure located in France and counting more than 20 people. This measure appears in the “5 -flow decree” adopted on March 10, 2016. The name of the text refers to the legal obligation to separate waste into five separate categories, namely:

• Papers and boxes (envelopes, leaves, paper packaging, etc.);
• Metal (empty cans, cans, pencil pots, etc.);
• Plastic (cups, spoons, bottles and bottles, etc.);
• Glass (jars, frames, vases, etc.);
• Drink.

Logically, you must Provide 5 containers To sort these different materials. The provider is also required to certify the collection and treatment of these waste flows. He must in particular Specify the nature and the volume of detritus collected as well as their destinations (reuse, composting, incineration, etc.).

Mandatory paper recycling stems from the 2015 law on the energy transition. In addition to companies, it concerns businesses, administrations and communities. The rule also applies to entities whose production of waste exceeds 1,100 liters per week.

How to recycle confidential documents internal to the company ?

In the era of GDPR, THE confidential data are particularly delicate for companies. Among other things, they include contracts, circulars and personal information on customers or employees. Standard recycling therefore arouses mistrust due to the many associated stations and manipulations.

THE leaks are indeed significant possibilities in the classic circuit.

To avoid any risk, companies often crush this type of papers before dropping them off in yellow bins. However, they become difficult, even impossible to recycle after passing to the crusher. The problem comes in particular from the size and lightness of these shroy.

Thus, sorting centers do not succeed in treating them properly and ensuring the valuation of waste.

Nevertheless, a Authorized service provider generally offers Special bins for confidential documents. These containers were designed for files and papers including sensitive information, personal data, etc. Therefore, they are sealed and secure throughout the waste treatment circuit.

The operator will then provide a certificate attesting to their recycling or destruction.