Lancaster’s Environmental Focus

Climate change is perhaps the biggest the environmental problem facing the planet today. At Lancaster we are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to reducing not only our own waste but our customers too. We also review cleaning shifts and patterns with our clients so that we can be as energy efficient as possible, such as daytime cleaning.
BIN the BIN is one example of a service Lancaster offer to customers to manage and reduce their waste.

BIN the BIN

We have designed this innovative system around the waste hierarchy – REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE. We reduce general waste by segregating the recyclables at source allowing waste to be diverted for recycling.

All personal under desk bins are removed and centrally located bins are installed on the floors to capture all paper and all food waste and packaging. In coffee points and café’s, Slim Jim recycling bins are installed for cans and plastics.

The “BIN the BIN” system encourages staff to adopt sound practises by providing a simple option for the disposal of their wastes. Staff take ownership of recycling, contamination is minimised and recycling is maximised thus savings on general waste are made.

Where this has been implemented potential savings can be achieved based upon the following:
•    Reduction in the number of collections during the main cleaning period:
•    Reduction in the number of bin liners.
•    Increase in the amount of recyclables.

For example a typical office floor could have over 150 occupants each with a desk bin. The average time that it takes a cleaner to clean, empty and replace the liner of a bin is approx 1 minute = 150 minutes.

Centralised bin points positioned strategically around the office floor, based upon 1x set of centralised bins per 25 occupants taking approx 5 minutes to empty = 30 minutes

From our experience, even though centralised bin points require more frequent emptying (around 3 collections per day), there is still a significant labour saving of over 30%.