Abstract:
Through air pollution from landfill, the increase in waste generation poses a
local and global threat to the environment. The UK government recognises
organisations’ contribution to meeting raised targets for waste recycling. This
research therefore, shows that organisational waste, associated with office
operations is produced in large quantities and hence, very significant in
contributing towards meeting national recycling targets. The paper addresses
two key areas in managing organisational office waste for sustainable
development within a public organisation. First, office waste recycling logistics
were examined and secondly, the link between sustainable waste management
practices such as recycling and the dissemination of information to participants
about waste schemes and their ultimate success was investigated.
Waste policies and implementation strategies were found to be the
determinants of waste management program’s effectiveness. Organisational
policy and strategy were identified as drivers in mainstreaming effective waste
management within an organisation, especially participation in recycling
schemes and waste minimisation. Simultaneously, recycling levels and levels of
waste awareness within an office showed a positive relationship. The results
show that continuous waste awareness promotions are key to translating high
awareness levels into action among recycling participants in the organisation.
Overall, an expected reduction in waste destined for landfill was reciprocated by
an increase in material collected for recycling. The implications for
organisational policy making to ensure staff sustainable waste management
behaviour in organisations are also explored.