A lot of modern companies are moving towards an eco-friendly initiative by getting rid of plastic. The wasteful material is difficult to recycle and can prove harmful for aquatic life when you fail to throw it away properly. Your company might be one of those geared towards a zero-plastic environment. However, you can still find uses for the material inside the office. While it is ideal for you to get plastic out of your company, some tasks require plastic to optimize function. Here are a few ways where plastic can be useful in your office:
Storage
A lot of offices are using cardboard boxes to store important documents and office supplies safely. While it is serving its purpose of carrying items, paper boxes are not the most efficient option for safe storing. When a pipe bursts inside your storage room, you might lose important paperwork to water damage. Electrical devices can also malfunction inside your cardboard boxes. If an explosion happens inside a cardboard box, the paper material will make it easy for fire to spread to the office.
Using cardboard boxes is okay for storage, especially when you are moving towards a greener office. However, plastic will provide the security you need for classified documents and other important office supplies. The lifespan of plastic containers is longer than the average cardboard, making it the best choice for your office. You can purchase large plastic bins in bulk to supply your office storage needs for a long time. If you do not want to use containers, you should consider applying plastic covers over cardboard boxes. Security is essential for storage items. Plastic will provide your office staff with additional protection.
Packaging
Plastic is a lightweight and durable material that can help make packing office supplies easier. Wrapping fragile items in a piece of paper may still cause damage, especially when they fall to the ground. Rigid plastic will keep office supplies secure. You can also opt for flexible plastic bags, which is a common choice in supermarkets. You will notice that most of your employees are using plastic to store their food inside the office pantry. Plastic can keep meals fresh because you can seal the Tupperware shut. If your company’s operation relies on transport and deliveries, you will need to use plastic materials for packaging.
Saving Expenses
The uses of plastic make the material a flexible choice for companies in terms of packaging and storing. However, plastic’s most valuable asset is helping save the office a ton of money. If you are looking for alternatives, you would find yourself scanning the market for wood and paper. Paper is less costly than plastic, but it has a shorter lifespan compared to plastic. You will end up spending more on paper in the long run. Wood is more durable than both plastic and paper, but it will be costly for your office to buy in bulks. Plastic is an affordable material that can last up to 10 or more years.
Offices must remove plastic waste to contribute to the betterment of the environment. However, you should try to keep the plastic products you need if you have long-term plans for them. If you do think that you need to throw away the material, you should consider trying to recycle them first.