Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Recycling Station in Your Office

Why Offices Need Recycling Stations

Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan aims to reduce waste sent to landfill by 30% by 2030. Businesses, offices, and commercial spaces play a huge role in achieving this goal. Yet many workplaces still rely on a single general waste bin, making it difficult to separate recyclables from trash.

A well-planned recycling station not only helps companies meet sustainability targets but also improves office cleanliness, reduces disposal costs, and enhances brand image. Setting up a recycling corner is easier than you think — here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get started.

Step 1 – Assess Your Office Waste

Before buying bins, understand what kind of waste your office produces the most.

• Paper: Printing mistakes, packaging, documents.

• Plastics & metals: Bottles, cans, takeaway containers.

• Food waste: Leftovers from the pantry or lunchroom.

• General waste: Non-recyclables, tissues, contaminated packaging.

👉 Conduct a waste audit for one week. Note which items pile up in your existing bins. This helps determine the type and number of bins your recycling station will need.

Step 2 – Choose the Right Recycling Bins

The backbone of your recycling station is proper bins for each waste stream. In Singapore, NEA guidelines recommend separating paper, plastics, metals, food waste, and general trash.

When choosing bins, consider:

• Multi-compartment bins: Space-saving and efficient for offices.

• Color coding: Blue for recycling, black/grey for general waste, green for food waste.

• Capacity: Larger bins for pantries, smaller ones for work areas.

✅ At Hippomart.sg, we provide commercial-grade recycling bins designed for offices, schools, and businesses. Durable, easy to clean, and available in different sizes, they help ensure compliance and convenience.

Step 3 – Select Strategic Locations

Even the best bins won’t work if they’re not placed properly.

🔹 High-traffic areas: Pantry, breakroom, or canteen for food & drink containers.
🔹 Printer/copier stations: Dedicated bins for paper recycling.
🔹 Meeting rooms & open workspaces: General + recycling bins side by side.

👉 Pro tip: Always keep general waste and recycling bins together. If recycling bins are isolated, people often throw everything into the nearest trash bin.

Step 4 – Label Clearly & Educate Staff

One of the biggest reasons recycling stations fail is confusion. Employees may not know which items go where.

• Use clear bin stickers (e.g., “Plastics Only,” “Paper Recycling”).

• Provide visual examples of acceptable waste (e.g., images of bottles, cans).

• Train staff or send a simple email reminder about your recycling program.

✅ Hippomart also supplies recycling bin stickers to make labeling simple and consistent.

Step 5 – Monitor & Improve

Your recycling station is not a “set and forget” system. Monitor usage and make adjustments:

• Appoint a green ambassador to check bins weekly for contamination (wrong items in bins).

• Adjust bin placement if some bins are always overflowing while others remain empty.

• Set recycling targets, such as reducing general waste by 20% in six months.

Regular check-ins keep the program effective and encourage employee participation.

Bonus: Go Beyond Recycling

Want to make an even greater impact? Pair your recycling station with other sustainable practices:

• Encourage staff to bring reusable bottles, cups, and containers.

• Replace single-use plastic items in the pantry with eco-friendly alternatives.

• Explore composting food waste if your office building supports it.

By going beyond basic recycling, your office can become a true leader in corporate sustainability.

Conclusion: Build a Greener Office Today

A recycling station doesn’t just help the environment — it also improves office cleanliness, reduces waste costs, and shows clients and employees that your company takes sustainability seriously.

👉 Ready to build your office recycling station?
Browse Hippomart.sg’s range of recycling bins, trash bags, and facility supplies to set up a system that works for your workplace.

Together, we can make Singapore’s offices cleaner, greener, and more efficient.