It makes sense that companies (and individuals) put extra focus on becoming more environmentally conscious around Earth Day (and Earth Month). But in today’s increasingly eco-friendly world, if you really want to make an impact, it takes consistent, long-term efforts — and often, company-wide initiatives.

Big businesses are taking note — from Walmart pledging to reduce carbon emissions by 20% to Starbucks making plans to replace disposable cups with compostable ones and offering a discount to customers who bring their own reusable mugs. And clothing company Patagonia pledges 1% of its profits to environmental charities, contributing over $140 million since 1984. 

The path to more sustainable practices can begin with small, yet impactful, steps. Stick with us as we take a look at six simple changes you can make in your workplace today. 

1. Use real plates

Sure, disposable plates might seem like the easy choice for your workplace kitchen, but these plates  typically end up in a landfill. Landfill waste can sometimes feel out of sight and out of mind, but the volume quickly adds up over time. 

The solution? Stock your work pantry with reusable plates and bowls. It’s a big win for the environment. Plus, next time you order catering, you won’t have to worry about flimsy disposable plates buckling under the weight of a hearty meal.

2. Go with metal flatware

Want to make a real impact? Take a step away from disposable plastic cutlery. Those innocent-looking forks and knives might seem harmless, but as many as 40 billion individual plastic utensils are wasted in the U.S. every year.

Do your part by picking up some metal forks, knives, and spoons and using them each time you’re digging into delicious meals in the office. Not only will this little upgrade help save the planet, but it will also make every meal feel just a little bit fancier. Just don’t forget to tell your caterer to skip the plasticware each time they deliver. 

At ezCater, Relish customers can opt-in when it comes to utensils, rather than automatically including them in orders. 

3. Make recycling easy and fun                                                      

While a whopping 94% of Americans say recycling is important, it turns out only about 35% actually do it. Most people say it’s just not convenient enough, and many aren’t quite sure what they can recycle.

Prioritize going green in your office by adding recycling bins next to the trash cans and clearly labeling what goes into each container. Include pictures and instructions for recycling newbies. Avoid recycling mishaps by calling out common items that can’t be recycled, like grease-stained pizza boxes or plastic grocery bags.

Check in with your local recycling provider to learn what is and isn’t accepted before kicking off your workplace recycling program. It’s important to discourage “wishcycling,” which happens when someone tosses an item in the recycle bin and just hopes it can be recycled. 

4. Take home that leftover food

If you’re using a service like Relish by ezCater that provides perfectly portioned meals, you shouldn’t have too many leftovers — but every little bit matters. Tossing out the last of the pizza or that delicious lasagna does more than just break your heart — it also takes a toll on the planet. Wasted food ending up in landfills is responsible for roughly 8% of global emissions.                                             

The good news is, there’s an easy fix. Reducing food waste can be as simple as investing in some office Tupperware so your team can take the leftovers home. 

You can also take steps to ensure you’re not ordering in excess. Over-purchasing is what leads to leftover food, so one of the best ways to reduce food waste at work is to prevent it in the first place. 

5. Compost together

Did you know approximately 28% of waste sent to landfills can be composted? It might sound like a hassle, but if everyone in the U.S. made the effort to compost, it would be the equivalent of removing 7.8 million cars from the roads.

But composting at work can be a challenge. If your office headcount fluctuates daily, it’s hard to predict how much food waste you’ll have on any given day. There’s also the matter of finding the space, and you definitely don’t want funky smells wafting through the office.

The good news is, you can purchase compact, odorless food recyclers that are perfect for smaller organizations. Larger offices may consider reaching out to local vendors who specialize in compost pickups.

It’s easy to go green at the office

Ready to adopt some eco-friendly habits at work? It doesn’t have to be a big production. As you can see, even small changes can make a big impact. While eco-friendly habits in the workplace are essential year-round, Earth Month and Earth Day present the perfect opportunity to motivate your employees and start thinking of new ways to be more sustainable. Use this time to kick off green initiatives, launch friendly competitions, and get everyone excited about making a positive impact.

But don’t stop there. Keep the momentum going by making sustainability a team effort and a core part of your company culture. Ready to place a catering order? Visit ezCater to get started.