A Practical Guide To Office Recycling Bins And Workplace Recycling Setups
Most offices know they need to improve workplace recycling. The difficult part is working out which bins are actually needed and how to set them up effectively.
Many businesses start with a single recycling bin and quickly discover that employees are unsure what belongs in it. Others overcomplicate things by introducing too many waste streams, resulting in contamination and confusion.
The most effective office recycling systems are usually simple, consistent and easy to understand.
This guide explains which recycling bins offices typically need, where they should be placed and how to create a workplace recycling system that employees will actually use.
What Recycling Bins Do Offices Typically Need?
Most offices benefit from at least:
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General Waste
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Mixed Recycling
Many workplaces also introduce:
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Food Waste
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Paper Recycling
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Plastics Recycling
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Cans Recycling
The ideal setup depends on:
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Office size
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Employee numbers
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Kitchen facilities
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Waste volumes
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Waste collection arrangements
For most small and medium-sized offices, the goal should be creating a simple recycling system rather than separating every possible waste stream.
General Waste Bins
General waste bins remain an important part of any workplace recycling system. These bins are used for waste that cannot be recycled and are typically positioned alongside recycling bins rather than separately.
One of the most common workplace recycling mistakes is making recycling difficult while making general waste easy. Employees should be able to choose between recycling and general waste in the same location.
Best Practice
Position General Waste and Mixed Recycling bins together wherever possible. This reduces contamination and improves recycling participation.
Mixed Recycling Bins
Mixed Recycling is often the most important recycling stream in an office environment. Typical materials include:
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Paper
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Cardboard
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Plastic bottles
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Drinks cans
Mixed Recycling bins work well because they simplify recycling for employees and reduce decision fatigue. Many offices use lime green bins and labels to identify mixed recycling streams.
Best Practice
Place Mixed Recycling bins in:
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Kitchens
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Breakout spaces
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Meeting room areas
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Shared office spaces
Avoid hiding recycling bins in locations employees rarely visit.
Food Waste Bins
Food waste is one of the most common causes of contamination in workplace recycling systems. Many offices now include dedicated food waste bins in:
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Kitchens
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Coffee stations
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Shared eating areas
Separating food waste helps create cleaner recycling streams and makes recycling easier for cleaning teams and waste providers.
Do All Offices Need Food Waste Bins?
Not necessarily. However, offices with kitchens and communal eating areas often benefit significantly from including food waste bins from the outset. Many businesses choose Starter Plus or Pro Plus recycling packages for this reason.
Paper Recycling Bins
Paper recycling remains useful in many workplaces despite the shift towards digital working. Paper recycling bins often perform best when positioned close to:
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Printers
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Photocopiers
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Mail rooms
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Shared stationery areas
This makes it easy for employees to recycle paper immediately rather than carrying it elsewhere.
Best Practice
If paper recycling volumes are low, consider incorporating paper into a Mixed Recycling stream rather than creating a dedicated paper bin.
Plastics And Cans Recycling Bins
Some workplaces choose to separate plastics and cans into dedicated waste streams. This is particularly common in:
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Larger offices
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Shared workspaces
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Corporate environments
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Workplaces with high volumes of drinks packaging
Dedicated plastics and cans bins are typically included within more advanced workplace recycling systems. Many businesses choose Pro or Pro Plus recycling packages when this level of separation is required.
What Is A Workplace Recycling Station?
A workplace recycling station groups several waste streams together in one organised location. Typical recycling stations include:
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General Waste
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Mixed Recycling
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Food Waste
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Paper
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Plastics
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Cans
Workplace recycling stations are increasingly replacing individual bins scattered around the office. Benefits often include:
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Better recycling rates
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Reduced contamination
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Cleaner office layouts
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Easier cleaning and maintenance
How Many Recycling Bins Does An Office Need?
Small Offices
Most small offices only require:
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General Waste
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Mixed Recycling
This simple setup is often sufficient for teams of up to 10–15 employees.
Medium Offices
Many medium-sized workplaces benefit from:
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General Waste
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Mixed Recycling
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Food Waste
Additional paper recycling may also be appropriate.
Large Offices
Larger workplaces often introduce:
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General Waste
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Mixed Recycling
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Food Waste
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Paper
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Plastics
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Cans
Many also use multiple recycling stations throughout the office rather than relying on a single central location.
Where Should Office Recycling Bins Be Located?
The highest-performing locations are typically:
Kitchens
Often the busiest waste-producing area in the workplace.
Breakout Areas
Ideal for drinks containers, food packaging and mixed recycling.
Printer Areas
Useful for paper recycling.
Meeting Rooms
Can generate paper waste, drinks containers and food packaging.
Communal Walkways
Useful for centralised workplace recycling stations.
Best Practice
Employees are far more likely to recycle correctly when recycling stations are easy to access and consistently positioned throughout the office.
Should Offices Remove Desk Bins?
Many modern workplaces are moving away from individual desk bins and towards centralised recycling stations. Benefits often include:
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Higher recycling rates
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Less contamination
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Reduced cleaning costs
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Cleaner office environments
This approach encourages employees to think more consciously about waste disposal rather than automatically placing everything into a desk-side bin.
Common Office Recycling Mistakes
Avoid:
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Using a single bin for all waste
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Placing recycling stations in low-traffic areas
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Using inconsistent colours and signage
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Introducing too many waste streams
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Allowing food waste to contaminate recycling
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Buying bins individually without a clear recycling plan
The most successful workplace recycling systems are usually the simplest.
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) What recycling bins should offices have?
Most offices benefit from:
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General Waste
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Mixed Recycling
Many workplaces also include:
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Food Waste
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Paper Recycling
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Plastics Recycling
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Cans Recycling
(2) What is mixed recycling?
Mixed Recycling typically includes paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and drinks cans collected together in one waste stream.
(3) Do offices need food waste bins?
Not always, but offices with kitchens and communal eating areas often benefit significantly from them.
(4) What is the easiest office recycling setup?
For most workplaces, a simple General Waste and Mixed Recycling setup is the easiest place to start.
Build A Better Workplace Recycling System
The best workplace recycling systems are not necessarily the most complex. They are the systems employees can understand immediately and use consistently every day.
If you are setting up workplace recycling for the first time, explore our Starter, Starter Plus, Pro and Pro Plus recycling packages to find a solution designed around the waste streams most offices actually need.