Waste Management & Single-Use Plastics Policy

Scope

This policy applies to all Payless Promotions staff, our office and warehouse premises, and the products, packaging and freight we arrange for clients.

Our Current Position

• Our general waste is collected fortnightly from a single standard-size bin, which is typically one-third to one-half full at collection.
• Our recycling bin is around twice the size of our general waste bin and is mostly full at each fortnightly collection. The majority of our waste by volume is recycled, and most of that is paper and cardboard packaging.
• We estimate that we send less than 0.2 tonnes of waste to landfill each year.
• Staff are trained to recycle waste correctly and are encouraged to reduce the amount of rubbish for collection.

Our Waste Hierarchy

We manage waste in this order of preference:

• Avoid – do not create the waste in the first place
• Reduce – use less material, packaging and paper
• Reuse – reuse cartons, packaging and materials where fit for purpose
• Recycle – recycle everything that can be recycled, correctly sorted
• Dispose – send to landfill only what cannot be avoided, reused or recycled

Single-Use Plastics

In our own workplace we will:

• Avoid buying single-use plastic cups, cutlery, plates, straws and bottled water for office use, and provide reusable alternatives
• Choose office and cleaning supplies with minimal or recyclable packaging where a reasonable alternative is available

In our products and supply chain we will:

• Ask suppliers to minimise plastic packaging and to use recyclable, recycled-content or compostable packaging where available
• Offer clients reduced-plastic or plastic-free packaging options where available, and avoid individual poly-bagging where it is not needed to protect the product
• Promote reusable products and products made from recycled or lower-impact materials as alternatives to single-use promotional items

Recycling and Other Waste Streams

• Paper and cardboard are separated and recycled. Cartons in good condition are to be reused where suitable.
• Commingled recyclables are placed in the recycling bin in line with Wellington Shire Council guidelines.
• E-waste (computers, phones, printers, batteries, cartridges) is never placed in general waste and is taken to an approved e-waste or product stewardship collection point.
• Printer cartridges and drums are tracked monthly with the goal of minimising use, and are to be returned through a cartridge recycling program.

Responsibilities

• CEO – owns this policy and ensures it is resourced and reviewed.
• Leadership team – leads by example and raises waste reduction in planning.
• All staff – sort waste correctly, avoid single-use items, and suggest improvements.

Monitoring and Review

• We will monitor the fill level of our general waste and recycling bins and review waste volumes at least annually.
• We will review this policy annually, or sooner if our operations change.