Commercial
  • #commercialbynature
  • Support Request
  • Customer Login
  • Call: 01242 703400
  • Request a Callback
  • Order Catalogue
  • Search
  • Commercial
  • Office Supplies
  • Managed IT
  • Managed Print Services
  • Smart Technologies
  • Interiors
  • Creative Systems
  • Print Management
  • Technology
  • Sustainability

How we’re tackling the plastic plight, one wrapper at a time

Tackling the plastic plight

Single-use plastic reduction is complex, but it must be confronted.

How we’re tackling the plastic plight, one wrapper at a time

Every week it seems there’s a new wave of headlines about major brands taking action to reduce single-use plastic. In January, Starbucks introduced a 5p levy on disposable cups. This was quickly followed by an announcement in February that it was investing £7m to develop a fully recyclable and compostable cup, to be available in the next three years. Waitrose has pledged to remove all disposable cups from its stores by the autumn. And just a few days ago, McDonalds said it would phase out plastic straws in UK restaurants from September.

Some of these measures have been met with cynicism from environmental campaigners. They argue that action needs to be taken sooner, or that recycling isn’t the answer. Of course these considerations should be taken on board. But it’s important to be realistic about how quickly large brands with hundreds or thousands of outlets and multiple product lines can rollout change. And all of us need to start looking closer to home, thinking about how we can improve our own consumption habits.

Champions of change

The plastic reduction issue is hugely complex, not least because there is no universally accepted definition of what constitutes ‘single-use’. Does it refer to any disposable plastic item, or only those that are used for fewer than 24 hours? Does it include all plastic packaging and wrappers, or only items like disposable plastic cups, straws and cutlery?

But defining the problem won’t help solve it. There is no time, or excuse, for analysis-paralysis. And I’m proud to say that Commercial’s staff are proactively addressing their personal use of disposable plastic at home and work via an employee-instigated Change Champions programme.

Here’s what they’re doing:

  1. Learning what happens to plastic waste

The six-strong Change Champions team visited one of our recycling partners to see first-hand what happens to plastic waste. They learnt that recycling technology evolves all the time, which is great. But also that various factors impact what can be recycled and how easy it is for well-meant disposal of certain items to contaminate a whole batch. This spurred the team to look at our internal processes and see if there are new factors we should consider when segregating waste.

  1. Plastic waste pinboard

To spotlight the amount of single-use plastic associated with day-to-day living, the Change Champions rinsed and saved all their plastic waste for two weeks. They brought it to the office and created a wall display to demonstrate the scale of the problem to colleagues and visitors in a tangible way.

  1. Plastic reduction hacks

Once they’d identified their individual single-use plastic weak-spots, the Change Champions tried to live without it for two weeks, at home, at work and in leisure time. They documented their progress with Vlogs, sharing plastic reduction hacks and frustrations as they did their best to complete the challenge successfully.

So, what happened?

The results of the Change Champions’ endeavours will be shared with delegates at our ‘Challenge, Champion, Change’ CSR event next week. We’ll be inviting the audience to pick up the mantle and start scrutinising where and why single-use plastic is endemic in their own lives and workplaces.

Please join us if you can, and let’s take an active stance to eradicate single-use plastic.

It’s not going to be easy, and we don’t have all the answers yet. But we have to start somewhere.

Commercial’s CSR Day, ‘Challenge, Champion, Change’ was held at Cheltenham Racecourse on 28 June. Find out more here.

Change Champions investigation

Take a look at the video

The plastic reduction issue is hugely complex, not least because there is no universally accepted definition of what constitutes ‘single-use’. But we have to start tackling the problem somehow. Commercial’s staff are proactively addressing their personal use of disposable plastic at home and work.

Simone Hindmarch

Managing Director

  • If your office needs it, we can do it.
    Intelligently, efficiently, sustainably.

    Find out more
    Watch video

    • About us
    • Commercial by nature
    • Mission vision values
    • Our story
    • The complete office
    • Awards & accreditations
    • Contact & locations

    • Media & events
    • News & blogs
    • Events
    • Case studies
    • Video gallery
    • Downloads

    • Divisions
    • Sustainability
    • Office supplies
    • Technology
    • Interiors
    • Print management
    • Managed print services
    • Creative systems
    • IT services

    • Careers
    • Working at Commercial
    • Live vacancies
    • Benefits
    • Living wage
    • Inclusion & diversity
  • Purpose for your business

    Find out more
    Watch video

    • Responsible sourcing
    • Procurement process
    • ETI membership
    • Products with purpose
    • Low-carbon deliveries
    • Circular economy
    • Modern slavery

    • Vision & Strategy
    • Dedicated sustainability team
    • 10 commitments
    • UN sustainable development goals
    • COP21 and science-based CO2 targets
    • Air quality impact
    • Resource consumption

    • Partnering & Added value
    • CSR day
    • Consultancy
    • ISO14001 & planet mark consultancy
    • Projects

    • Operations
    • On-site renewables
    • Renewable electricity
    • Zero waste to Landfill
    • Server cooling system

    • Professional recognition
    • Awards
    • Certifications
    • Memberships

    • Staff engagement
    • Change champions
    • Angel days
    • Charity charter

    • Commercial foundation
    • Buy social
  • Efficient office supplies with purpose in mind.

    Find out more

    • Why us
    • Your dedicated account team
    • Getting to know you
    • Implementation, reporting, progress reviews
    • Cost reduction

    • Product categories
    • Catalogues
    • Green Categorisation
    • Products With Purpose
    • Partnering Sustainably

    • Supporting you further
    • Free recycling
    • Confidential shredding
    • Social value reporting

    • Ordering & delivery
    • Online ordering
    • Punch out capability
    • White glove service
    • Just in time
    • Packaging & delivery
    • Low carbon deliveries
  • Make hardware buying easy, with a supplier that provides more than just product.

    Find out more

    • Why us
    • Expert advice
    • Direct OEM partnerships
    • Extensive product range
    • Bid price
    • Highly accredited

    • Services
    • Pre-configuration and support
    • Onsite technical support
    • End to end project management

    • Ordering & delivery
    • Online purchasing
    • Nationwide delivery
    • White glove delivery service
    • Waste removal
  • Bring your organisation to life 
with a unique interior.

    • Our Solution
    • Consultancy
    • Design
    • Move Management
    • Fit-Out
    • Furniture

    • Case Studies
    • View our latest case studies

    • About Us

    • Contact Us

    • News & Knowledge
  • High quality printing

    Find out more
    Watch video

    • Expertise
    • Strategic cost control
    • Dedicated team
    • Sector specific knowledge

    • Why us
    • Brand management
    • Print specialists
    • Single source procurement
    • Low-carbon deliveries

    • Our services
    • In-house production
    • Vendor management
    • Print Services
  • Partner with us for efficient printing, copying and scanning solutions

    Find out more

    • Why us
    • IT & business expertise
    • Continual improvement
    • Independent
    • Partners
    • Installation support
    • Consultation & analytics
    • Performance dashboards

    • Services & sectors
    • Professional Services
    • Outsourcing & MPS
    • Scanning
    • Sectors
    • Creative Industries
    • IT Services

    • After sales care
    • Account management
    • Training
    • Network Operation Centre
    • Field support
    • Customer relationship services

    • Support
    • Copier Toner Request
    • Copier Service Call
    • Copier Meter Readings
  • This is no longer science fiction. This is here. This is now….

    Find Out More

    • Why Us
    • Internet of things
    • Maximising revenue
    • World class CSR
    • Top 10 Reasons

    • Services
    • Digital Signage
    • Consulting
    • Custom Development
    • Monitoring and Support
    • Smart Vending

    • Sectors
    • Retail
    • Charities
    • Hyper Local
    • House Builders
    • Hospitality & Corporate
    • Out of Home Advertising

    • Contact Us

    • News & Views
  • Say goodbye to murky contract terms, and hello to service-led consultancy.

    Find Out More

    • Services
    • Book your print audit
    • Creative technology
    • Colour management
    • Creative workflow
    • Proofing
    • Office technology
    • Continual improvement

    • Products
    • Hardware
    • Software

    • About You
    • Print for creatives
    • Print for IT, production & office

    • About Us
    • Our story
    • Timeline
    • Meet the team
    • Sustainability

    • Contact us

    • News & views
  • IT with a Conscience

    Find out more Hardware Recycling
    IT with a conscience

    • Services
    • Network
    • Compute
    • Continuity
    • Apps
    • Security
    • IT Support
    • IT Assessment
    • Hardware Recycling

    • Sectors
    • Education
    • Legal
    • Enterprise

    • Why Managed IT
    • Ethical IT
    • Ground to Cloud
    • Vendors
    • Outcomes
    • 10 Reasons

    • Success Stories

    • News & Views
    • Commercial
      • Commercial
      • About us
        • Commercial by nature
        • Mission visions values
        • Our story
        • The complete office
        • Awards & accreditations
        • Contact & locations
      • Media & events
        • News & blog
        • Events
        • Case studies
        • Video gallery
        • Downloads
      • Divisions
        • Sustainability
        • Office supplies
        • Mananged IT
        • Technology
        • Managed Print Services
        • Creative Systems
        • Interior
        • Print Management
      • Careers
        • Working at Commercial
        • Live vacancies
        • Benefits
        • Living wage
        • Inclusion & diversity
    • Office supplies
      • Office supplies
      • Why us
        • Your dedicated account team
        • Getting to know you
        • Implementation, reporting, progress reviews
        • Cost reduction
      • Product categories
        • Catalogues
        • Green Categorisation
        • Products With Purpose
        • Partnering Sustainably
      • Supporting you further
        • Free recycling
        • Confidential shredding
        • Social value reporting
      • Ordering & Delivery
        • Online ordering
        • Punch out capability
        • White glove service
        • Just in time
        • Packaging & delivery
        • Low carbon deliveries
    • Managed IT
    • Managed Print Services
      • Why Us
        • IT & business expertise
        • Continual improvement
        • Independent
        • Partners
        • Installation support
        • Consultation & analytics
        • Performance dashboards
      • Aftersales Care
        • Account management
        • Training
        • Network Operation Centre
        • Field support
        • Customer relationship services
      • Services & Sectors
        • Professional Services
        • Outsourcing & MPS
        • Scanning
        • Sectors
        • Creative Industries
        • IT Services
      • Support
        • Copier Toner Request
        • Copier Service Call
        • Copier Meter Readings
    • Smart Technologies
      • Why Smart Technologies
        • Internet of things
        • Maximising revenue
        • World class CSR
        • Top 10 Reasons
      • Services
        • Digital Signage
        • Consulting
        • Custom Development
        • Monitoring and Support
        • Smart Vending
      • Sectors
        • Retail
        • Charities
        • Hyper Local
        • House Builders
        • Hospitality & Corporate
        • Out of Home Advertising
      • Contact Us
      • News & views
    • Interior
      • Commercial Interiors Cheltenham and London UK
      • Workplace Consultancy from Commercial Interiors | The Commercial Group
      • Workplace Design, Commercial Interior Design | The Commercial Group
      • Workplace Fit-out by Commercial Interiors | The Commercial Group
      • Move Management by Commercial Interiors | The Commercial Group
      • Workplace Furniture Supplier by Commercial Interiors | The Commercial Group
      • About Commercial Interiors part of The Commercial Group
    • Creative Systems
      • Services
        • Book your print audit
        • Creative technology
        • Colour management
        • Creative workflow
        • Proofing
        • Office technology
        • Continual improvement
      • Products
        • Hardware
        • Software
      • About you
        • Print for creatives
        • Print for IT, production & office
      • About Us
        • Our story
        • Timeline
        • Meet the team
        • Sustainability
      • Contact Us
      • News & views
    • Print Management
      • Expertise
        • Strategic cost control
        • Dedicated team
        • Sector specific knowledge
      • Our Services
        • In-house production
        • Vendor management
        • Print Services
      • Why Us
        • Brand management
        • Print specialists
        • Single source procurement
        • Low-carbon deliveries
    • Technology
      • Technology
      • Why us
        • Expert advice
        • Direct OEM partnerships
        • Extensive product range
        • Bid price
        • Highly accredited
      • Ordering & Delivery
        • Online purchasing
        • Nationwide delivery
        • White glove delivery service
        • Waste removal
      • Services
        • Pre-configuration and support
        • Onsite technical support
        • End to end project management
    • Sustainability
      • Sustainability
      • Responsible Sourcing
        • Living wage
        • Procurement process
        • ETI membership
        • Products with purpose
        • Low-carbon deliveries
        • Circular economy
        • Modern slavery
      • Vision and Strategy
        • Dedicated sustainability team
        • 10 Commitments
        • UN sustainable development goals
        • COP21 and science-based CO2 targets
        • Air quality impact
        • Resource consumption
      • Partnering and Added Value
        • CSR day
        • Consultancy
        • ISO14001 & planet mark consultancy
        • Projects
      • Operations
        • On-site renewables
        • Renewable electricity
        • Zero waste to Landfill
        • Server cooling system
      • Professional Recognition
        • Awards
        • Certifications
        • Memberships
      • Staff Engagement
        • Green angels
        • Angel days
        • Charity charter
      • Commercial Foundation
        • Buy social
    Commercial

    If your office needs it, we can do it. Intelligently, efficiently, sustainably.

    • The Complete Office
    • Sustainability
    • Careers
    • Support
    Contact Us

    If you’d like to work with us or learn more about us, we’d love to hear from you.

    • 01242703400
    • hello@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242690006
    • officesupplies@commercial.co.uk
    • 08451133333
    • managedit@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • mps@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • interiors@commercial.co.uk
    • 02087587750
    • info@creativesystems.co.uk
    • 01242690006
    • print@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • technology@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • hello@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • hello@commercial.co.uk
    Existing Customers

    Access your dedicated portal here. And we’re on the end of the phone if you need us.

    Customer login
    #commercialbynature
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies
    • Terms
    • Policy Documents
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    Back to top
    • © 2021 Commercial. All Rights Reserved.
    • Commercial Ltd. Head Office, Commercial House, Liddington Park, Old Station Drive, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 0DL UK. Registered in England No. 02589514
    • Commercial Ltd. Carrwood Park, Selby Road, Leeds, LS15 4LG UK
    • Wiles Greenworld Ltd. 1 Aintree Road, Perivale, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 7LA UK. Registered in England No. 00380423
    Commercial

    If your office needs it, we can do it. Intelligently, efficiently, sustainably.

    • The Complete Office
    • Sustainability
    • Careers
    • Support
    Contact Us

    If you’d like to work with us or learn more about us, we’d love to hear from you.

    • 01242703400
    • hello@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242690006
    • officesupplies@commercial.co.uk
    • 08451133333
    • managedit@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • mps@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • interiors@commercial.co.uk
    • 02087587750
    • info@creativesystems.co.uk
    • 01242690006
    • print@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • technology@commercial.co.uk
    • 01242703400
    • hello@commercial.co.uk
    #commercialbynature
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies
    • Terms
    • Policy Documents
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    Back to top
    • © 2021 Commercial. All Rights Reserved.
    • Commercial Ltd. Head Office, Commercial House, Liddington Park, Old Station Drive, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 0DL UK. Registered in England No. 02589514
    • Commercial Ltd. Carrwood Park, Selby Road, Leeds, LS15 4LG UK
    • Wiles Greenworld Ltd. 1 Aintree Road, Perivale, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 7LA UK. Registered in England No. 00380423