Australian Business News and Times

Business News ,Reports and Times of Australia

Reporter

Tax Talk: How to Handle Taxation as an Australian Business Owne

by Leave a Comment

tax time australia

Taxation is one of those things that most of us dread. Let’s face it – it’s not the most fun of activities and requires a great deal of accuracy. If you are a new business owner, sorting your taxes out for the first time can be an incredibly daunting experience. Thankfully, today we’re here to guide you through all the steps you need to take as a small business owner when it comes to handling your taxes. Read on to find out more!

  1.    Do Your Research

The best thing you could do for your business taxes is to do your research. Do you know other business owners? Why not ask them for tips or guidance on how you can go about sorting your business taxes in the easiest and most efficient and compliant way possible. We also highly recommend looking up various Australian tax invoice templates to get a rough idea on how you should go about organising and preparing your small business taxes.

  1.    Ensure You Are STP Compliant

As of 2019, all businesses in Australia are required to be STP compliant. STP, or Single Touch Payroll, is a system that was introduced by the ATO in 2018. STP requires business owners to send employee payroll information including wages, salary, superannuation and PAYG withholding to the ATO on a payment-to-payment basis. Previously, employers only needed to do this on an annual basis. Ensuring that you are STP compliant is incredibly important in order to not land your business in hot water or accrue fines from the ATO.

  1.    Keep Strong Records

Keeping strong records is always recommended to any business owner as this allows for ease of filing taxes at the end of the financial year. It is never too early to start keeping records, and we highly recommend utilising various software such as payroll software, invoicing software and so on to ensure that your data is as accurate as possible. Most software can now integrate with one another (including automated STP software), ensuring that your processes are automated and kept complaint at all times.

  1.    Get On Those Deductions

It is always recommended that small business owners claim as many appropriate deductions as they can. This can include costs for utilities, rent, legal services and repairs for your business. It is also recommended by experts that business owners pre-pay for these expenses if possible, in order to bring forward as many expense deductions prior to the July 1st deadline. Always remember that anything deducted has to be directly related to earning your business income and that you have full and in-depth data on how you have calculated these costs.

  1.    Get Superannuation In On Time

The golden rule is to always get your superannuation in on time and before the 30th of June. Failing to do so will result in the loss of your opportunity for a deduction. Always remember that superannuation needs to be paid to your staff 28 days after the end of each yearly quarter. Failing to meet these guidelines will result in you losing your eligibility for tax deduction.

  1.    Utilise Income Tax Offset

The income tax offset can see you shaving up to $1000 off your taxes if you earn a revenue of under 5 million dollars annually. At this moment in time, the offset is set at 8% of tax payable, but it is estimated that this figure will grow up to as much as 16% over the next decade or so. This offset applies to sole traders and micro-business owners and is an incredibly helpful resource and tool for new business owners.

_____________

Handling your taxation as an Australian business owner needn’t be a stressful or miserable task. We hope that the tips we have brought to you today have assisted you in further understanding the process of sorting out your business taxes.

Reasons Why Skipping a Degree Course May Be a Good Idea

by Leave a Comment

university for study europe

University used to be the step you take after high school. There was hardly any way to wiggle out of it.

Not so anymore.

Indeed some of the opportunities that were previously reserved for University graduates are now available to non-graduates.

If you have been wondering why more and more people are skipping university, here are some of the reasons behind this trend.

1. There are other Equivalents

While a university degree is not the end-all, be-all, higher education is still unquestionably important.

Luckily, there are varied options today.

It gives one a broader perspective on things as well as the tools to adapt to an ever-changing world.

Alternatives such as apprenticeships and TAFE qualifications can still lead to high-paying jobs.

2. It’s Expensive

Australia attracts scholars from all over the world, thanks to its revered education standards and school systems. The downside, however, is that these institutions are expensive.

For most students, this means taking out student loans to be repaid once one gets to a certain level of income in the future.

While student loans are a great solution to help one get into college, you graduate with the thought of an unpaid loan hanging above your head.

To avoid this, young people are opting to take online courses and other forms of higher education that are significantly more affordable.

Instead of working to repay expensive loans, later on, tuition funds can be put towards purchasing a home or other large ticket items.

3. It’s Not for Everyone

There are specific career paths that absolutely require a University degree to succeed in. Some do not.

This means that for some people, going to college is not as instrumental as it would be to others. For these reasons, skipping university and getting a head start in their goals makes more sense.

For example, someone with a passion for baking and would love to go into entrepreneurship would rather much forego university and spend those 3-4 years perfecting their skills, opening their business, and learning the ropes.

 

4. You Can Still Land Great Jobs

Many blue-chip corporations are increasingly looking to hire for skill.

There are fields in which an apprenticeship or vocation training is deemed more highly than a University Degree.

Apprenticeships and vocational training aim at teaching practical skills to be used to solve everyday problems in the business world. And indeed, employers are looking to hire people who can create solutions.

In this regard, people can forego university, take up other training models, and still get similar opportunities to jobs with high pay.

5. Networking is Much Easier

Another plus for going to university used to be the socializing and networking potential.

Here, students would create and build long term networks that would support them in both their personal and career lives.

The internet has changed this.

Online courses have come a long way from what we had in the past where students would get course files, and that would end at that.

Today, an online course also provides avenues for learners to work collaboratively in group assignments, class discussions, and so on.

These classroom relationships can easily morph into personal friendships that provide the same support and networking potential that people that went to university form with their peers.

University: Yes or No?

Unfortunately, this is not a simple yes or no question as several factors must come into play when deciding to attend or forego university.

However, not getting a university degree is no longer handicaps your career or future as it once did.

Explore your options, network put in some hard work, and you will enjoy the life you always dreamt of.

Australia’s Most Wanted: Here Are Top In-Demand Professionals in Australia

by Leave a Comment

training in australia

If you’re like most people, career choice is quite a challenging subject.

Aside from trying to identify a career that aligns best with your aptitudes and passions, you also want to pick a profession with excellent job prospects.

Unfortunately, not all careers are in demand. It is not uncommon for people to go without work for extended periods of time.

The following are some top in demanded careers in Australia.

1. Aged Care

According to recent estimates, 1 in 7 Aussies is aged 65 and above.

This creates a need for aged care professionals in nursing homes, aged care hostels and private residencies.

These professionals provide the support required for older people to function in their day to day lives.

This means helping with cooking and grooming, socializing, implementing an exercising program, and assisting with drug administration and so on.

2. Health Care Professionals

Health care professionals are in demand almost anywhere in the world. Australia is no exception.

Practitioners of this noble profession oversee client health, both preventative and restorative.

However, healthcare professionals are not created equal, and some are more sought after than others.

See a more detailed look into the most in-demand health careers in Australia here.

3. IT Security Experts

As technology penetrates most industries, so does the need to protect systems and data grows.

These professionals set up computer system protections to help minimize instances of cyberattack and data loss. It is also their job to identify possible security loopholes and advise accordingly.

Both of these occurrences can injure a brand’s reputation and cause significant losses to a business.

4. Child Minders

Australian moms get 52 weeks of parental leave, after which they resume duty.

During this time, parents without family near them opt to leave their kids in daycare centres with daycare workers. These childminders then monitor the kids, feed, bathe, and administer medicine as per parent’s requests.

To become one, a natural love for kids and a first aid course can help you get started.

5. Wellness Managers

More and more employers are becoming more attuned to the benefits of their employees’ mental and physical wellbeing.

Wellbeing managers are usually a part of the HR team. Most often, they have a stellar record in HR processes, alongside being creative problem solvers and mediators with an uncanny ability to get along with others.

As a wellness manager, you will be tasked with designing and implementing policies that promote the physical and mental wellbeing of staff members on all levels of an organization.

Fully functional and happy employees tend to perform better and stay longer with a company.

High employee turnover is expensive and disruptive to a business.

6. Construction Managers

Australia has a booming construction industry creating a strong demand for construction managers.

These professionals work with site owners, contractors, architects, and suppliers to ensure project completion.

To be successful in this role, you have to be well-organized, able to manage pressure and have the flexibility to adapt to the volatile construction industry.

To get started, you will require a relevant degree, coupled with some on-site work experience. Some construction managers begin at the bottom on-site, accumulate experience and eventually take up construction management jobs.

Final Word

The other common characteristic with most in-demand jobs is that they attract good remuneration and other perks.

While this is a plus, it should not be your only consideration. Look more into these careers vis a vis how they align with your personality and aptitudes to settle on one.

One thing is for sure, though, whichever one you pick, you will be guaranteed to find many employment opportunities.

Passive Perfection – The 5 Passive Income Streams With The Best Returns

by Leave a Comment

investing in australia

Photo by Alexander Mils from Pexels

Working smarter, not harder, is the mantra of the day. People are no longer willing to spend most of their lives at work. We want our jobs to enrich our lives and fund our personal pursuits. Now more than ever, we want to spend our time in a fulfilling work environment with minimal stress. Below are some ways that you can invest in passive income sources so that even while you are sleeping, you can be making money.

  1. Real estate

Have you considered investing in property but been put off by the idea of all the hassles involved in renting out a house? The good news is that you can generate passive income from real estate by investing in commercial property management. In this type of arrangement, you can reap the rewards without too much initial effort.

Many people decide that they want to be a silent partner in this type of venture because all it requires is that you invest some initial capital. If, however, you want to take a more active role, you can choose to take on the property management yourself. Either way, by owning property and leasing it out, you can earn a significant amount of extra income.

  1. The stock market

Another way to earn passive income with an initial startup cost is through dividend-paying stocks, EFTs, and other investments such as lending clubs. These types of investments can help you earn money around the clock with no work on your end. It does take time to build up a strong and legitimate portfolio, but with the proper guidance from a reputable investment firm, you can be sure that your dividend investments will pay off.

  1. Affiliate marketing

If you are a heavy internet user (like most of us), then there are several ways you can leverage your online presence to create passive income for yourself. Affiliate marketing is an income idea that requires you to have one or more platforms on which you can promote products for other companies. This works extremely well on social media platforms within your local community where you can see what people are after and provide affiliate links that help them while earning you a commission. When someone uses the promotion link on your site or post to buy from another company, you get paid.

  1. Website ads

In conjunction with affiliate marketing, you can also leverage your internet space by displaying ads on your website. Again, this does require you to set up a site, but the more visibility you can create, the more money goes straight into your pocket. This can be so profitable that it’s often called owning online property. Advertisers pay to display ads on your site, and you get paid simply for attracting traffic. How easy is that?

  1. CPC ads

The final way to leverage your online property is to go with cost per clicks (CPC) ads. Unlike affiliate marketing and display ads, you get paid every time someone views or clicks on an ad versus only when someone buys something after clicking on the ad. You can make money simply by driving traffic to your website and letting the adverts sell themselves.

Whether you choose one or all of these methods to generate passive income, you can earn a significant amount of money by investing in ideas that will help you down the road. You may not see an immediate influx of funds into your bank account, but hold out for the long haul, and you’ll eventually be able to live without working.

The crucial role of technological input in modern business

by Leave a Comment

property lease

When it comes to running a successful business, there is no getting around the fact that it is a job that demands constant attention to detail and intricate involvement on every level possible. These days, modern businesses are functioning and thriving at an all-time high, and a massive part of the reason why that is comes down to the fact that technological innovation has well and truly impacted the modern business landscape for the better. Of course, the goal of technological influence is always to improve an aspect of life as we know it, but the simple truth is that sometimes certain technological innovations have more of a profoundly positive impact across the board than others.

Today, the landscape of business is one of the most tremendously impressive landscapes in the world. There is an incredible amount of determination and hard work that goes into bringing these landscapes to vibrant life. There is something to be said about the businesses that are willing and able to take their approach to the next level by introducing and embracing modern marvels like technological influence. More than ever, technology is present in business in fresh and exciting ways that are challenging, if not near impossible, to come to terms with otherwise.

Respecting the balancing act of entrepreneurship

The art of entrepreneurship is one that is well and truly involved in a tremendously impressive inclination towards the ongoing evolution and improvement of a business model. Being an entrepreneur is never an easy job, and it is so incredibly important that all entrepreneurs, no matter their background, are entirely dedicated towards the cause. It is a balancing act that never seems to come to an end, and it is a balancing act that is significantly important when it comes to successful and long-lived business in this modern era.

Introducing technological input into a business

The key to longevity and success for modern businesses is to work with technological innovations (among other aspects and points, of course). This was mentioned earlier, but the importance of including and embracing technological influence in a modern business cannot be overstated. The rest of the world is moving increasingly in the direction of a digital future. What that means for businesses specifically, is that they are now in a position of essentially having to transform the way they approach growth, by means of technological advancement.

Consistently thriving and elevating the business

lease calculation australia

Thriving and consistently elevating a business takes a lot of determination and hard work. This much is glaringly obvious, and it is also incredibly important to not that the influence of technological power in modern businesses is making this task easier than ever. Whether it is incorporating an automated novated lease calculator for company vehicle utilisation, or expanding a business by creating and building upon an online presence, the point is always, and without exception, the same: success in business these days is at least partially hinged on the business in question’s willingness and capability to embrace technological innovation.

How To Handle Employee Payments As A New Business

by Leave a Comment

new business 2020

Setting up a new business is filled with uncertainty and lots of learning. Many new business owners may start out with a great idea and a solid business plan but run into the harsh reality of bringing that plan to life. Things like payroll processes, for example, can seem like a trivial detail but they require careful attention to get them right.

Heeding the advice of a professional payroll service provider is a good option for new business owners with little payroll experience. However, for an overview of some of the most salient things to consider when setting up your payroll, let’s look at the best ways to handle employee payments as a new business.

Make A Budget

As a new business, it can be tricky to know where your money is being spent. There are a lot of capital costs that need to be covered right at the outset including securing an office and furnishing the place if you have a brick and mortar shop, or website design fees and the like if you are going the e-commerce route. With all of this, you may quickly become overwhelmed and wind up with insufficient funds to pay your employees.

Making a budget will help you avoid this disastrous scenario. If you want to retain your staff, then you will need to maintain a set amount of your budget for payroll. As an added bonus, set a maximum cap for your payroll expenses to keep enough money around for all of the other expenses. The more work that you can do yourself, the fewer staff you will need to hire, and the higher your profits will be.

Inform Yourself About Payroll Legislation

It is important to be fully aware of payroll rules and regulations that apply to your business. Complying with these for your employees will allow both you and them to stay on the right side of the law. This includes things like making the appropriate deductions for social security and keeping track of benefit payments. Paying your employees under the table may seem like an easy way to avoid extra tax expenses, though this will end up with you in hot water.

These details can often be overwhelming for new business owners, so be sure to seek out professional guidance from someone who knows the ins and outs of these topics.

Use Payroll Software

If you lack the funds to hire a professional accountant or payroll manager, make sure to invest in high-quality payroll software that works for your business. Contemporary payroll software is easy to use and can be customized to the needs of your payroll structure. Even the least computer-savvy business owners will be pleasantly surprised at the ease of use and flexibility of these programs.

Consider Wage Or Salary Payment

There are many different payment and payroll structures to choose from when deciding on how to compensate your employees. Salary payments can make the matter much more straightforward, as your employees will receive the same amount each year and each pay period. Wage payments are a bit more labour-intensive, as hours need to be tracked and verified on a regular basis.

As another option, you can also hire freelance workers on a project basis for a bit of extra help when you need it.

Take Your Time To Learn The Basics

As a new business owner, it is important to set aside enough time to learn the basics of payroll processes before you get started. Having a solid background in best practices and legal requirements will allow you to launch your business and get it off of the ground without running into any hiccups along the way.

What the digital banking revolution means for Australian banks

by Leave a Comment

banking in australia

The future of banking is digital, and the Australian financial services industry needs to brace itself for a transformative year ahead.

“A digital transformation is inevitable in the Australian marketplace,” says Myles Bertrand, Managing Director APAC for Mambu, “however many of our established institutions are in dire need of a cultural overhaul before they can really embrace this brand-new world. Banks need to start thinking and operating like fintechs in order to maintain their position at the forefront of the Australian financial services industry.”

Mambu – launched in Germany but operating globally, including in Australia – works with banks, fintechs and telcos to help create a technology-first approach to banking, opening up new opportunities to optimise operations, ensure regulatory compliance and increase customer acquisitions.

In Australia in particular, it is the impact on regulatory compliance that is a key area of interest when it comes to the new era of digital banking.

“The good news is that digital banking is actually going to make it easier for financial institutions to comply with all of the different regulations,” says Bertrand. “It’s going to make it easier to track transactions, keep data safe and will also reduce duplication. So those organisations that make the transition from less secure legacy systems to cloud-based digital platforms, where security improvements are constantly made, can boast greater peace of mind and set themselves ahead of competitors.”

To stay in the game, banks need to be able to roll out products and services at a rapid pace, adding new features to platforms, while simultaneously enhancing existing ones. This kind of agility is next to impossible to achieve with most institutions’ legacy systems. However, composable banking architecture – the quick and flexible assembly of independent systems on a cloud platform – can provide the opportunity for organisations to create a dynamic platform with intuitive, responsive features that can be quickly and continuously updated.

A truly agile platform undergoes short, regular updates with a constant pipeline of improvements that are automatically layered on top of existing cloud technology and allows business to run uninterrupted on the front end. This allows financial institutions to make minor changes regularly, rather than major, infrequent updates that can cause significant disruption and draw the ire of customers, as has been the case with some traditional transformations.

With so many new players arriving in the marketplace looking to capitalise on the impending digital transformation of the industry, the key to successfully transitioning to digital banking is to look for proven, reliable fintech partners with experience and a successful track record in helping financial institutions make the switch. By working collaboratively with a proven digital engine, banks and financial institutions can build innovative integrations into new or existing product channels, creating simple, streamlined and automated customer experiences.

“I think the whole financial services industry – globally, not just in Australia or the APAC region – is going to be turned on its head over the next 12 to 24 months,” concludes Bertrand. “We really want to help banks take the leap and make the necessary changes to embrace the opportunities that digital banking can offer and set themselves up for success.

“As the looming fintech age forces institutions to digitise, innovate and scale to adapt to customer needs, those banks and financial institutions that can move at the pace of a technology company while remaining committed to strength, security and service will be the leaders of this new era.”

Myles Bertrand is the Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, for Mambu, the market leading cloud-based banking platform.

Sale Day Essentials – 4 Things Your Business Needs To Make Your Post-Christmas Sales A Success

by Leave a Comment

sales in australia

Photo by freestocks.org from Pexels

The final event of the holiday shopping season is fast approaching. Having survived Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and Christmas Eve, the end of the year is the last chance for retailers to end up in the black.

Unfortunately, at this point, shoppers are weary and overburdened by the multitudes of marketing campaigns enticing them to part with the last of their hard-earned cash. To be truly successful after the crazy holiday season, you must employ some serious marketing skills to attract consumers. Below are several tactics that will help your business succeed in the post-Christmas season.

1. An Aggressive (and Unique) Marketing Campaign

By the time Christmas has come and gone, consumers have seen every marketing technique in the books. They are tired. To attract their attention yet again, your marketing campaign must be aggressive and unique.

Think outside the box with eye-catching fabric media wall banners, drastic discounts of 70% or more, and donations to a relevant (and reputable) charity every time a customer buys a specific product. It’s these types of things that will entice your customers to return to your store, despite their exhaustion.

2. A Good Plan (Made Well Ahead of Time)

It’s important that you plan ahead for the after-Christmas sales because you only have a limited timeframe in which to make them work. When the hectic holiday season comes to an end, most consumers have very little disposable cash left, so it’s vital you advertise effectively to bring them in.

While it’s difficult to know exactly what you’ll have left after the Christmas rush, don’t wait until the last minute to put together your after-Christmas sale campaign. Do your best to estimate your inventory, create your campaign ahead of time, and have backup items on hand just in case you over-estimated. By Christmas Eve, you should be fairly comfortable with the inventory you have left to really begin advertising your post-Christmas sales.

3. Social Media

People tend to use social media more often during the holidays than at other times of the year. They are keeping in touch with friends and family and discussing plans and gift ideas. This makes these platforms perfect for getting in on holiday conversations that are already taking place, allowing you to market to your target audience in a quick and easy manner.

Whether yours is a brick and mortar store or an online shop front, social media is always a good marketing tool. During the holidays, it’s more powerful than ever, and you should be using it (beginning as early as possible) to announce and advertise your after-Christmas sales.

4. A Solid Email Marketing Campaign

You can boost the success of your after-holiday sales by employing a solid email marketing campaign before they even begin. Not only is this an effective way to reach your customers, but it also helps you create a sense of urgency by pushing limited-time offers and hard-to-find items that may not be available with other retailers. To encourage people to take advantage of your sale, offer discounts to anyone who presents the code included in the email.

Although everyone is weary by the end of the year, having just survived the frantic three-month shopping season, there’s still the after-Christmas sales to think about. This is every business owner’s final push to come out in the black for the year. To make this mini shopping season a success, consider instituting one or all of the tactics listed above.

Dental Care – 5 Tips For Taking Good Care Of Your New Dental Veneers

by Leave a Comment

dental care

Source – Unsplash – Austin Wade

Getting dental veneers is a worthy investment in your image and self-confidence. However, they aren’t permanent, and they won’t always look presentable if you don’t take care of them. To protect your investment and your wonderful new sense of self-esteem, here are five tips for taking good care of your new dental veneers.

  1. Get The First Stage Right

One of the best ways to ensure your veneers stay beautiful for a long time is by getting the best veneers in the first place. Porcelain veneers tend to be more durable and higher in quality than composite veneers, making them a sound investment in your smile. In addition, getting your veneers fitted by an exceptional cosmetic dentist will ensure you’re as well-equipped as possible to take care of your new smile moving forward.

  1. Don’t Try And Fix It Yourself

The average American has less than five hours of free time each week. If that rings true for you, then it makes sense that an issue with your veneers would be a major inconvenience. Who has time to go all the way to the dentists to fix an issue that you could fix yourself? There are DIY videos, guides, even products to help non-qualified individuals fix dental issues themselves. Sounds great, right?

Please, for the love of your dental health and hygiene, do not look these videos up! Although there can be a place for temporary emergency fixes if you absolutely have no way to see a professional right away, most of the time, it is better to hotfoot it to the dental clinic ASAP. With expensive veneers, any issues need to be addressed by the professional who fitted them. Attempt to do it yourself, and you will likely make matters worse.

  1. Stay On Top Of Your Oral Hygiene Game

Veneers are attached to a healthy tooth and kept in place by a healthy gum. If you neglect your oral hygiene, you will put your dental veneers at risk. The best way to get your dental regime right is to visit a hygienist regularly for professional cleans and personalized cleaning guidelines.

  1. Watch What You Eat

When you have veneers, you have to watch what you eat for two reasons: veneer security and stain prevention. Foods like crusty bread, toffees, and tough meats could all pull your veneers off and damage them in the process. Meanwhile, foods like ketchup, tomato soup, coffee, tea, and wine could stain your veneers. Watching what you eat will help keep your veneers in good shape long-term.

  1. Stop Smoking

14 out of every 100 Americans smoke. We all know smoking is horrendously bad for our health, but if that isn’t enough, you should know that it is also bad news for your veneers. 

Smoking puts your teeth at risk as you are more likely to get gum disease, which compromises the solidity of the teeth your veneers are attached to. In addition, smoking can create unsightly discoloration and tar marks. Why not give yourself an extra something to smile about with your new veneers and quit smoking for good?

“A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.” – Denis Waitley

If you have invested in some gorgeous new veneers, it makes sense to protect them by following the tips above and sticking closely to any guidance offered by your dentist.

With the right care and attention, your stunning new smile will last a long time, giving you many more years of improved confidence and aesthetic joy.

10 Office Waste Management and Reduction Tips

by Leave a Comment

skipped bin rubbish

Australia is one of the world’s strictest countries when it comes to recycling and waste disposal. Unfortunately, despite most of us adhering closely to laws concerning waste recycling, we are still in the midst of a full-blown recycling crisis.

In any case, we can all still do our part to help offset the effects of the ongoing issue. The key is to reduce the amount of waste we produce so that less needs to be processed. Given that commercial establishments are some of the biggest waste contributors, it makes sense to start there.

Here are some ways your office can be part of the solution:

1.) Consider renting rather than buying some equipment

Many workplaces only need to use certain types of equipment occasionally. Photocopiers and projectors, for instance, are not likely to see daily use in most small offices. Rather than storing these onsite, where they may deteriorate with disuse, it may be better to simply rent infrequently-used equipment as needed.

2.) Invest in long-lasting fixtures

On the other hand, you’ll want to invest in more durable versions of the types of fixtures and equipment you do use. For instance, it may make sense to spend a little more on chairs if they are more likely to last longer. This can significantly cut down on the fixtures and equipment that you would otherwise have to write off every year.

3.) Ask vendors to reduce packaging

If you purchase certain supplies in bulk, ask your vendor to provide you with these without the individual packaging. Also, try to see if they can ship the items in reusable containers that they could take back and refill.

4.) Reuse durable office supplies

Folders, binders, poster board, and other similar items that could be used more than once, saving them from an otherwise premature fate at the landfill. Envelopes could also be reused if adhesive labels are used for the addresses.

5.) Only print reports on demand

The paperless office might not yet be a reality, but there are now plenty of digital alternatives to paper for many applications. Email and app suites such as MS Office and Google Drive make the use of paper for reports and other documents redundant in most cases. Try to discourage the use of paper unless specifically asked for.

6.) Provide reusable plates and utensils

Disposable plates and utensils are by far the biggest source of rubbish at most offices that use them. Traditional utensils and china tend to be a far more ecologically sustainable choice. Just make sure you can provide facilities for washing them thoroughly.

7.) Rent skip bins to handle higher volumes of waste

In many cases, the local rubbish collection services may not be able to adequately handle the volume of waste produced by your workplace. To improve sanitation and to ensure recyclable materials are sent to the right facilities, it’s often best simply rent skip bins. Skip bin rental services typically quite flexible and can rent out different types of bins depending on the volume and type of rubbish. Be sure to use a skip bin price comparison site such as Skip Compare to find the best long-term rental rates in your area.

8.) Optimize your mailing lists

Take some time to clear out duplicate addresses and long-unresponsive customers from your mailing lists. This will not only cut down on your paper consumption but will also help streamline your marketing expenses as well.

9.) Choose less wasteful landscaping

Choose native plants that don’t require too much maintenance or produce too much waste. You may also consider having a rock garden or some exterior artwork instead, especially if your office is a more arid area.

10.) Try bokashi composting for food scraps

If your office does have a garden, bokashi can be a good way to bring down your landscaping costs while reducing the amount of food waste that has to be hauled off. Bokashi is a traditional Japanese composting method that uses the bacteria naturally found on different types of grain bran to break down food scraps and other non-putrid biological waste. It produces a high-quality organic fertiliser that is almost odour-free, which makes the method an excellent fit for residential and office settings.

skipbins au

Conclusion

In most cases, keeping office waste under control isn’t just a matter of reducing the business’s environmental impact, it’s usually quite financially sound as well. Given the many waste disposal issues facing Australia, reducing and repurposing the waste we create before it’s sent out to processing facilities seems to be the smartest solution.