While statistics show that many people have greatly ramped up their recycling efforts there is always room for improvement. While many workplaces have added recycling practices that make a huge difference there are still far too many that don’t make much if any effort. Frequently in office environments paper is still added to the general refuse when of course it could easily be recycled. Estimates range that unwanted paper and documents still account for as much as 50kg per 100 members of staff each week in offices that don’t recycle.

Paper use has declined as many companies have enacted policies that raise awareness and make recycling just as simple as disposal, however a new invention designed for the workplace might encourage many more to take part in good recycling practices.

A company called Dulsco have launched a new line of garbage receptacles that include separate compartments to isolate waste as plastic, paper or organic all in the same unit. Incredibly logical but also incredibly effective if you ask me. It makes the localized collection in the workspace easier and processing the waste to larger recycling collection containers much easier. Paper is the primary aim for offices as it should be, modern paper recycling methods show that the lifespan for paper can be extended to six or seven generations before the fibre is too long to provide suitable strength.

The trend is encouraging though as data compiled by the American Forest and Paper Association shows that just over 57% of paper consumed in the US in 2008 was recovered for recycling. While that still leaves room for improvement it towers over where things stood a decade ago.

Dulso make a full range of recycling containers from those suitable to a small office or the home all the way up to the large storage bins for commercial use. I must confess I wanted to feature these new ones because they look so unique. In addition while I’m all for inventions that make recycling easier it would be almost as easy to initiate a similar scheme in your workplace. Does your office recycle paper, plastic, glass and organic materials? Can you help to make a difference? As if we needed more evidence of why paper recycling matters I reviewed some statistics today that reminded me in full. According to The Public Recycling Officials of Pennsylvania, for every ton of paper that is recycled, the following are saved:

• 17 trees
• 275 pounds of sulfur
• 350 pounds of limestone
• 9,000 pounds of steam
• 60,000 gallons of water
• 225 kilowatt hours
• 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space

Those numbers above all else should provide the motivation to ensure that you recycle paper.