7 Simple Ways Offices Can Reduce Their Plastic Footprint
Let’s face it. Offices can be sneaky sources of plastic waste. From takeaway lunches and bottled water to that one drawer overflowing with random branded pens, plastic tends to pile up in ways we don’t even notice.
The good news? Cutting down doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or some massive culture shift. With a few smart tweaks, your workplace can reduce its plastic footprint and make a real impact without sacrificing convenience or style.
Here’s how to get started.
1. Start With the Obvious One: Bottled Water
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Single-use plastic bottles are one of the biggest (and most pointless) culprits in the office.
Making the switch to a bottle-free hydration setup is one of the easiest ways to instantly reduce your plastic waste. Smart dispensers like Aquablu’s REFILL+ purify and enhance your tap water on demand. You get clean, great-tasting water without the crates, waste, or hassle.
No bottles to order. Nothing to store. Nothing to throw away. Just better water, right from the source.
2. Rethink the Kitchen Setup
Office kitchens are a quiet battlefield of plastic. Think coffee pods, disposable cups, snack wrappers, plastic stirrers, forks, and knives. All of it adds up daily.
Swap in reusable mugs, a proper coffee machine, snack jars, and real cutlery. None of this needs to be fancy. Just keep it easy to reach and easy to use.
Bonus move? Gift new hires a reusable starter kit with a mug, bottle, and cutlery. It’s a warm welcome and a nudge in the right direction.
3. Ditch the Desk Plastics
Desks are often where plastic quietly piles up: pens, packaging, sticky notes, cable ties, and even plastic desktop organizers.
Here’s how to tackle it practically:
Switch to refillable pens instead of throwing out dried-up ballpoints
Use notebooks made from recycled paper or go digital with tools like Notion or Google Keep
Replace plastic desk organizers with wood, metal, or recycled alternatives
Avoid plastic packaging in office supplies — buy in bulk where possible
Create a “take one, leave one” office supply spot so unused items get repurposed instead of tossed
Small swaps add up fast. And when your desk setup looks intentional and low-waste, it sets the tone for the rest of the workspace.
4. Work With Plastic-Conscious Suppliers
Even if your office is making all the right moves, your suppliers might still be wrapping every delivery in layers of plastic.
Start by asking questions. Can they skip the plastic padding? Do they offer recyclable or returnable packaging? A quick message like “We’re working on reducing our plastic waste. Could you ship this more sustainably?” often gets a positive response.
And if it doesn’t? Time to reconsider who you’re buying from.
There are plenty of vendors out there who care about sustainability just as much as you do. Give your business to the ones who walk the walk.
5. Make It Easy to Do the Right Thing
If reducing plastic feels like a chore, people won’t stick with it. So, make the sustainable choice the obvious one.
Put refill dispensers front and center
Keep reusable items where people eat or drink,
Label bins clearly (no one knows what "other" means),
Run a plastic audit to see what’s really piling up,
And yes, replace plastic bottles with the REFILL+. Not just a plug. It genuinely kicks ass.
People generally want to do the right thing. Your job is to remove the friction.
6. Try a “Plastic-Free Week” Challenge
A plastic-free week is a great way to raise awareness and shift everyday habits.
Encourage everyone to bring and use a reusable bottle. Provide them if you can, or make a few available in shared spaces. Let people know what it’s about and where they can refill.
It’s a small, visible action that can spark long-term change.
And let’s be honest, once those bottles are in play, people are going to want to fill them with something a little more exciting than plain tap water. Have you seen our flavors? Just saying.
7. Join (or Lead) a Plastic Collection Day
It might not reduce your office’s plastic footprint directly, but getting the team outside for a plastic clean-up is still a solid move.
It could be your office street, the nearby park, or a local beach. An hour or two of picking up plastic together isn’t just good for the environment, it gets people talking, thinking, and noticing just how much plastic is out there.
And that’s the real value. Once people see the problem up close, they’re more likely to cut back on single-use stuff or even suggest new ways to reduce plastic at work.
Snap a few photos, share the effort on LinkedIn, and show that your team doesn’t just talk sustainability. You show up for it.
The Big Picture: It’s About Progress, Not Perfection
Cutting down plastic use at work doesn’t mean going full zero-waste overnight. It’s about building a culture where better choices are built into the everyday.
The small changes add up. And when you reduce your plastic footprint, you’re not just helping the environment. You’re creating a more thoughtful, attractive, and future-proof workplace.
Start small. Pick one thing. Then another. And keep building from there.
Ready to take the first step? Download our free guide: Gen Z 101 – Insights Businesses Need to Know
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Joshua
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