Clutter in the workplace can be as frustrating as a computer that doesn’t switch on, a toaster in the office kitchen that keeps breaking, and a filing cabinet door that doesn’t quite shut. Simply put, it’s a huge distraction and hinders concentration.
Tidying and reducing waste is both an individual and a group responsibility. Individual workstations should be kept clean and tidy by their users, but the office, store, factory, or warehouse should generally be kept clutter-free by the whole team.
These three simple methods will help you reduce mess – and put waste to better use – in your workplace.
Implement a Tidying Schedule
The easiest way to ensure tidying becomes a group responsibility is to implement a tidying schedule. Your workplace will likely have a professional cleaner – whether they be in-house or hired from an external company – but they are unlikely to want to take the risk of throwing out items that they do not know the importance of.
By designating staff – ensuring it does not disrupt their timetable too much – to whip around and clean up some clutter once a week, you will turn tidying from a hefty chore into something done regularly and takes little time. Aid the natural tidying of staff by having a good supply of trash cans and recycling tubs, so your employees add less to the mess.
Compact Waste and Recyclables
If you run a company that produces large amounts of waste and recyclables, you should consider investing in equipment that compacts these materials to make them more suitable for storing, transporting, and disposing of.
For example, the compaction bins available from Sani Tech have been proven to be cost-effective and excellent for the environment. These compactors reduce the size of your recyclable waste – once it has been collected by cleaners or employees – which saves space, reduces clutter, and allows you to transport it to recycling units much easier.
Donate Unused Items to Neighbors
This is a fantastic tip aimed at companies that share offices with other businesses or retailers on the high street or in a shopping mall.
Once clutter begins to build up, sort through it to work out what needs to be thrown away, what can be recycled, and, crucially, what could theoretically be used by somebody else. This works perfectly for spare shelving units, display cabinets, or furniture.
Take these items – or, perhaps far easier, take pictures of these items – and show them to a nearby company who you think could use them. If they are interested and want to take them off your hands, this benefits you for many reasons.
Firstly, you are greatly reducing clutter by ridding yourself of items you no longer have a use for. Secondly, you reduce the cost and effort of transporting large items such as furniture to a waste or recycling plant, which could be miles away. On top of this, you will be building relationships with local businesses – who knows what they may be able to give you in return.