Sort workplace waste correctly

At the disposal point, follow the bin label and the approved guide for your site. This worked example uses the fictional Northstar Services office; its stream names and accepted materials are illustrative, not rules for other workplaces.

A blank white card beside a kraft envelope, illustrating a clean paper item.

Northstar office example: match the material to the label

These fictional streams show how local guidance can make the choice clear.

Paper and card

Northstar's example stream accepts clean, dry paper and flattened cardboard.

  • Place a clean paper envelope here.
  • Keep food-soiled paper out of this stream.

Containers

Northstar's example stream accepts empty drink cans and plastic bottles.

  • Empty the container first.
  • Check the local label for preparation instructions.

General waste

Northstar's example route is for ordinary items not accepted by its other labeled streams.

  • Use this route when the local guide directs you here.
  • If an item is not listed, check with the local Facilities contact.

Pause ordinary disposal for special-handling items

Do not guess a route for materials your workplace handles separately. Use the locally approved instructions and help route.

A special-handling instruction is posted

Follow the approved local route for that material rather than placing it in an ordinary shared bin.

  • Read the instruction at the disposal point.
  • If the route is unclear, ask the local Facilities team or posted site contact.

The item is unlisted or does not match the examples

Check with the person responsible for local waste guidance before choosing a route.

  • Consult the approved guide for your workplace.
  • Do not assume another site's rules apply.

Worked example: a paper cup with drink residue

At Northstar's fictional office, an employee has a paper cup with a small amount of drink residue. The station label lists clean, dry paper for Paper and card but does not mention cups. The employee checks the approved site guide. Because cups are not listed there either, they do not assume the cup belongs with paper or general waste; they ask the local Facilities contact and identify the station and item. The local guidance owner can then assess whether the guide or signage needs clarification.

If the label and approved guide disagree: do not choose based on another workplace's example. Contact the local Facilities team or posted site contact and describe the location and material.

Report unclear or missing signage

Tell the local Facilities team or the contact shown at your site when a label is missing, hard to read, or conflicts with the approved guide. Include the exact location, the material in question, and what the sign or guide says. For example: “Kitchenette beside Meeting Room 2; the bin label says Paper and card, but the guide does not mention coated cups.” This helps the person responsible for local signage check the right station and address the guidance.

Ownership: Facilities and Sustainability owns the central guidance. Local Facilities or the posted site contact handles site-specific signage questions and correction handoffs.