With more employees back in the office, the breakroom becomes more than just a place to eat lunch or grab a coffee. It becomes a space for connection, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Ensuring your breakroom is efficient, hygienic, and inviting can make a significant impact on the employee experience.
Here are four simple, smart solutions to transform your breakroom into a better space for everyone:
- Upgrade to Touchless Cutlery Dispensers
- Provide Disposable Insulated Hot Cups
- Stock Sustainable Paper Plates & Bowls
- Use Efficient Napkin Dispensers
1. Upgrade to Touchless Cutlery Dispensers
Shared cutlery bins can feel unhygienic and wasteful. A simple switch to compact, touchless cutlery dispensers instantly creates a cleaner, more organized breakroom.
One-at-a-time dispensing not only reduces usage and waste — studies have shown it can cut cutlery use by up to 31% — but also ensures employees only touch what they need. Plus, smaller dispenser designs, such as mini tri-tower units, fit easily into tight spaces while maintaining high capacity, making them perfect for breakrooms of any size.
For example, the Dixie Ultra® SmartStock® Mini Tri-Tower Cutlery Station holds 195 utensils and is designed to reduce cutlery usage by up to 31% (GP PRO Proprietary Research: CUT-19-2024). Its hygienic, space-efficient design makes it a must-have for modern breakrooms.
2. Provide Disposable Insulated Hot Cups
Say goodbye to the community sink overflowing with dirty mugs. DCommunity coffee mugs often lead to an overflowing sink and concerns about cleanliness. Stocking insulated disposable hot cups offers a more hygienic solution — and also saves time, since employees won’t need to wash mugs after each use. Look for sustainable, polystyrene foam-free options with built-in insulation layers (like those with air-bubble designs), so you can skip wasteful cup sleeves. Efficiently stackable cups help save valuable storage space and make it easier to accommodate employees’ preferences for coffee, tea, and other hot beverages.
You might look for Dixie® PerfecTouch® Paper Hot Cups. They are polystyrene foam-free and insulated with air bubbles, eliminating the need for cup sleeves. Available in multiple sizes, they stack efficiently to save storage space.
3. Stock Sustainable Paper Plates & Bowls
Reintroducing permanent-ware dishes can lead to piles of dirty plates in the sink. Instead, choose disposable yet sustainable paper plates and bowls that balance convenience and responsibility. Look for multiple sizes to meet diverse mealtime needs, and opt for sustainable options that may better align with your company goals.
Dixie® Paper Plates & Bowls are available in multiple sizes with attractive surface designs that employees will appreciate. These plates and bowls are now third-party certified as both commercial and home compostable. (Commercial composting facilities may not exist in your area.) Dixie® Plates & Bowls are compostable except in California.
4. Use Efficient Napkin Dispensers
Messy stacks of napkins can lead to unnecessary waste and a cluttered breakroom. An efficient napkin dispenser takes control of your napkin supply, offering one-at-a-time dispensing that reduces usage and keeps things clean and organized.
Dixie® Interfold Napkin Dispensers offer a sleek, space-efficient design with one-at-a-time dispensing that can reduce napkin waste by up to 29% (GP PRO Proprietary Research). Elevate your breakroom aesthetic while promoting better hygiene for employees.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Breakroom Cohesive
A cohesive, well-stocked breakroom sends a positive message to employees and visitors alike. Choosing products from the same family or brand line helps ensure consistency in look, feel, and function — creating a polished, welcoming environment that employees will appreciate day after day.