Holland Beckett Law use 4 worm farms to process waste of 100 staff

 

We visit the Tauranga office for Holland Beckett Law, who have halved their waste collection since joining 'Why Waste Worms'.

About half of Holland Beckett Law’s staff could be considered 'Millennials', which research* has shown are bringing an entirely different values set into the workplace. So it’s no surprise that the firm participated in ‘Plastic Free July’, which steered the conversation around the water cooler towards ethical business choices and individual responsibility. Their efforts include a bunch of awesome initiatives (detailed below) as well introducing worm farms to take care of the biodegradable waste generated over the two floors of their office.

Kate, who was championing the company’s sustainability team admits that businesses have a lot of waste. She says, "It's hard to think about it, when it's happening on a big scale.” Becoming a 'Why Waste Worms' customer has been an easy solution to addressing their waste.

HOBEC’s practice administrator Georgia sent through an update after about 6 months using our service “we normally have 4x wheelie bins emptied 3x a week, this has been HALVED to 2x bins emptied 3x a week!” these anecdotal wins are great feedback loops to confirm we’re on the right track with our offering.

worm farm in office
 
“We put the waste in and it’s done. We’re doing something, but it’s not a huge hassle.”
— Kate Reidy
reduce kitchen waste business

Holland Beckett Law have around 100 staff members and rent four managed worm farms. To successfully divert waste from landfill it’s important to have effective waste separation systems in the kitchen. Holland Beckett Law use two quality pedal bins, that look slick and the liners are dishwasher safe.

Overview

The Context

  • Strong ‘millenialist’ presence on staff

  • Dynamic company culture

  • Positive leadership from partners / management

The Challenge

  • 100 employees over two floors (TGA office)

  • Standard office waste streams

  • Urban context, very little space


The Outcome

  • Food waste and paper towels to worm farms

  • Paper and cardboard to fibre recycling,

  • Plastic, tin and aluminium going to co-mingled recycling

  • Holland Beckett branded Keep Cups at the café in front of the building for staff to use instead of a disposable cups

  • Preloaded bus cards to staff to encourage the use of the Hopper Bus

  • Reusable containers for staff to get their lunch in

  • Multiple bins around the office for different waste streams

  • Paperless files encouraged in office

  • Pen recycling

  • Battery recycling

  • Bike stand

  • Eco saving lights

  • Community days – planting plants

Watch our conversation with Kate

 

worm farm solutions for your business

Businesses are the second largest contributors of waste (behind households). Our worm farm solutions are a great place for your business to make a more positive impact. Your team will love taking action to improve sustainability in the workplace.

 
reduce business waste worm farming.jpg

*NZ Shapers 2019 – The Growing Influence of a New Generation (The Purpose Business­, 2019)

 
WorkplaceLeo Murray