A new year means new goals for your business. For many of you, those goals will include better waste management, cleaning, and workplace safety. But where do you start?
At Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP), we cut through the complexity. We’ve put together a straightforward, three-part guide for how you can make 2026 your year for lower waste management costs, more cost-effective cleaning, and safer workplaces.
How can I reduce waste management costs in 2026?
Businesses across the board are feeling the squeeze and looking to further cut costs over the next year. With general waste costing more to dispose of and waste contractors’ heightened focus on contamination, effective recycling as much of your facility’s waste as possible has got to be on your hit list for 2026 if you’re aiming to lower long-term costs.
Cross-contamination from unclear recycling bins can cause unnecessary waste management costs, as that contaminated waste can’t be properly recycled. Use clearly labelled recycling bins, with both icons and written labels, to make it easy to understand what waste goes where. Choosing icons that represent common types of waste in your facility helps to tailor the waste management strategy to your specific business; create your own personalised labels with our Label Customisation Tool.
Besides direct costs, compliant recycling will also help you avoid sanctions from not following England’s Simpler Recycling rules or Wales’ workplace recycling laws. Because when the budget is already tight, you really don’t want a fine arriving in the post! It’s important to consider your businesses’ legal obligations, and future legislation changes, when building out your recycling strategy, so you’re not having to revisit it again this time next year.
And finally, for peace of mind and to avoid the cost of replacing poor quality products, choose commercial-grade bins that are built with durability in mind. Look out for long product warranties – explore our range here.
What tools help me reduce long-term cleaning costs in my facility?
Cleaning and waste management go hand in hand to have a big impact on your facility's bottom line. Less durable cleaning solutions like string mops may be cheaper upfront, but they need replacing often, which can add up over time.
And it’s not just about how long the tool lasts – it's about how efficiently it gets the job done. A UK care organisation Sanctuary Supported Living switched from disjointed, improvised cleaning equipment to our purpose-built HYGEN™ Pulse flat mop. As a result they saw a 45% reduction in cleaning time and saved hundreds of pounds in electricity costs. This meant their team was able to reduce the time spent on cleaning, while increasing the amount of cleaning they actually got done, as well as saving money.
Finances aren’t the only thing that improves with better cleaning – your sustainability credentials get a boost too. When the Vale Resort switched to HYGEN™ Pulse flat mopping as part of a push towards better cleaning, not only did they reduce cleaning time by 60%, they also eliminated single-use mop heads thanks to the reusable microfibre pad and reduced their water use. These actions have supported the resort as they work towards Green Key accreditation, the leading standard of excellence for sustainability in the hospitality sector.
How can I improve workplace safety at my facility?
The best waste management and cleaning tools are built for ergonomics as well as functionality. Heavy or awkward equipment can increase the risk of injuries like muscle strains and sprains, which made up a quarter of occupational injuries in 2021-22*.
Look out for tools with features like contoured handles, easy steering and good manoeuvrability to keep your team safe and boost your overall productivity.
As well as having equipment that is safe to use, you should also keep in mind the safety of your wider workplace environment. Clear, high-visibility safety tools like barriers and caution signs help keep everyone in your facility safe while working, and reduces the amount of downtime due to injury or accidents.
By focusing on these three areas of improvement, your workplace can become cleaner, safer, and more compliant in 2026. So your team can get down to tackling the work that really matters.
We hope your team is able to have a restful break over the holidays, and you see even better results in 2026. For even more tips on recycling and cleaning, check out our other blog articles.
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