C1 Writing: Office Waste Reduction Proposal
Environment
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Task: Proposal to Reduce Office Waste
Scenario: You work in the facilities team of a company with 200 staff. Write a short proposal of 200–220 words to the management, recommending ways to reduce waste in the office.
Structure requirements: Organize your text using the following four headings:
- Introduction
- Current situation
- Recommendations
- Expected benefits
Useful Phrases for Formal Proposals
This is a fictional workplace scenario. No audit results or measured savings are supplied. Present recommendations and possible benefits clearly; label any proposed numerical target as a target, rather than claiming a verified result.

Reducing waste in the office.
APIE · AI doodleWrite Your Proposal
You work in the facilities team of a company with 200 staff. Write a 200–220-word proposal to management recommending ways to reduce office waste.
Write a formal 200–220-word proposal for an office of 200 staff, using all four required headings.
____ (Type your proposal here under the 4 specified headings...)This is an open-ended task. The model illustrates one possible response. Use your own relevant details or a different supported opinion; you do not need to copy the model.
Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to recommend practical ways to reduce waste in our office of 200 staff. The suggested approach combines simple changes to purchasing, everyday habits and recycling.
Current situation
Routine office activities can produce waste through printing, packaging and kitchen supplies. Before setting reduction targets, the facilities team should review current purchasing and waste collection. This would establish a reliable starting point rather than relying on estimates.
Recommendations
I would recommend that management introduce double-sided printing as the default and encourage digital documents wherever appropriate. Shared kitchen areas should offer reusable cups and clearly labelled recycling bins. I would also suggest appointing a contact in each department to explain the arrangements and collect feedback. Were the company to run a short trial on one floor first, practical problems could be addressed before a wider introduction.
Expected benefits
It is anticipated that these measures would reduce unnecessary purchases and make sorting waste easier. They could also help employees take shared responsibility for the workplace. Progress should be reviewed against the initial findings, with results reported to management. In light of this review, the company could adjust the measures and decide which changes to continue. A short staff update would explain any changes and keep the process transparent for everyone.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The aim of this proposal is to | States the purpose of the proposal |
| practical ways to reduce waste | Realistic actions that produce less rubbish |
| Before setting reduction targets | Before deciding on intended decreases |
| a reliable starting point | Trustworthy information used as an initial reference |
| I would recommend that management | Introduces a formal recommendation addressed to decision-makers |
| wherever appropriate | In every situation where the action is suitable |
| I would also suggest | Introduces another recommendation politely |
| Were the company to | Begins a formal inverted conditional about a possible action |
| It is anticipated that | Introduces an expected or predicted result |
| In light of this review | Taking the findings of this review into account |
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