Business Waste
No. 1 for School Waste

School Waste Management

Schools, universities, and other places of education create lots of waste every day. It’s estimated that the UK education sector produces upwards of 210,000 tonnes of waste every year. From food packaging and waste from the school cafeteria to used paper in the classroom, educating young people requires many resources.

Schools have a responsibility to reduce and recycle waste, while educating young people about how to be eco-conscious citizens who understand their role protecting the environment. Having a strong school waste management plan in place is essential to achieve all these goals.

At Business Waste we provide general waste and recycling bins for schools, collections, and disposal to assist with your waste management. Call 0800 211 8390 or contact us online today for a free quote for school waste collections from anywhere in the UK.

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SCHOOLS Collections last 7 days
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School waste 
disposal

Every school has a legal duty to ensure an efficient school waste management system is in place, aiming to reduce, reuse, and recycle the rubbish produced. This means using the right bins for storage and disposal, separating as much as possible for recycling. Increasingly, schools are viewed as role models for eco-friendly waste management.

School waste comes in lots of different forms, which is often the reason many schools struggle to implement an efficient school waste management system. The appropriate disposal method depends on the wase type. We operate on a zero landfill policy so try to avoid even non-recyclable rubbish going to landfill.

For example, with food waste in school we encourage alternatives to landfill such as composting. Another option is anaerobic digestion, which is a process that uses school food waste to create biogas to generate renewable energy. With general waste it may be incinerated to create refuse-derived fuel – an alternative to fossil fuels.

Our expert waste management providers can implement a comprehensive waste management system for your school. This ensures recycling and proper disposal of all waste your school generates, providing you with ways to save money, time, and resources, while also aiding the environment

Bins for 
schools

As school waste comes in many different forms, there are various school bins you can use to store your rubbish safely and securely before collection. These include recycling bins for your school to ensure the likes of paper, cardboard, plastic, and other recyclable waste is separated so it can be easily recycled.

We provide free bins for schools too, so you just pay for collection. School recycling bins are available in various sizes to suit the amount and type of waste your establishment generates – from wheelie bins to large static options if you have the space. School bins with lids also reduce the risk of tampering, weather, or pest damage.

Explore some of the popular school bins available.

View all bins
  • 240L wheelie bin

    You can use these just as a food or glass waste bin, as well as for general and recycling rubbish.

    small wheelie bin icon
  • 660L wheelie bin

    A four-wheel bin that can hold around ten bags of waste, such as paper, cardboard, plastic, and general waste.

    small wheelie bin icon
  • 1100L wheelie bin

    The largest wheelie bin available to store high volumes of cardboard, dry mixed recycling, and general waste.

    small wheelie bin icon

School waste 
collection

Our leading waste management services can provide your school with a tailored school waste management system, ensuring all your requirements are met. Whether you need more bins and containers for your waste, or simply need more frequent school waste collections, we aim to meet your needs in the most efficient way possible.

We provide free bins to all schools – you only pay for collections. Arrange school waste collections on daily, weekly, or fortnightly to suit the amount of rubbish you produce. Our collections are flexible too, as we understand waste levels will change especially around the summer, Christmas, and half-term holidays.

Ensure your school has space for the number, sizes, and types of school bins you use. Fill within any weight limits – to avoid overweight charges – and leave at the agreed pickup point. One of our licensed waste carriers will come and remove your bins and take them to a nearby facility for recycling and disposal.

Get a free quote today for school waste collection. One of our friendly, expert team can arrange a school waste audit for your site and advise on the right bins and collections based on your needs. Contact us online or call 0800 211 8390 to get started today.

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How does school 
waste collection work?

  1. Select your free bins

    It’s quick and easy to organise commercial waste collection for your business.

    Simply start by telling us the:

    • Type of waste you need removing
    • Size of bins you require
    • Number of bins you want

    We’ll provide you with a free quote.

  2. Arrange delivery

    When you’re happy with the type, number, and size of free bins, tell us when you need your bins delivering.

    Let us know about any access issues where you want the bins delivering – such as locked gates, access codes and times. We’ll get you up and running in no time.

  3. Fill up your bin

    After the free bins arrive at your chosen location, fill them up with the agreed waste type.

    Make sure you remain within any weight limits for the specific waste type and bin size.

  4. Get your business waste collected

    We’ll arrange waste collection at a time and frequency to suit you and the amount of waste you have.

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Recycling in 
schools

Recycling in schools is essential as it helps cut the amount of waste that goes to landfill, reducing how much landfill tax you pay. There are other reasons why recycling in schools is important, as it saves energy, reduces pollution, creates new materials, and makes a positive difference for children’s futures.

An efficient school waste management system can improve your recycling rates and give your school the eco-friendly reputation it deserves. This includes using appropriate school recycling bins for any recyclable materials to ensure they don’t end up in landfill.

Recycling methods vary but some common recycling of waste in schools are:

  • Paper and card make up at least a quarter of the waste that schools produce. These are recycled separately and turned into new paper and cardboard materials.
  • Plastic can be shredded, depolymerised, or undergo heat compression to create new plastics, depending on its type.
  • Glass is separated by colour, cleaned, crushed, and heated to form new glass products.
children in a classroom at school.
Recycling in schools saves energy and reduces pollution

School waste 
facts

As an indication of how important recycling is for schools and the positive impact it can have on our planet, various facts highlight how much is produced. Here are some key school waste facts and statistics:

  • Primary schools generate around 45kg of waste per pupil, per academic year.
  • Secondary schools produce about 22kg of waste per pupil each academic year.
  • More than 70% of school waste is food, paper, and card. Of this, 80% is recyclable but only 20% gets recycled.
  • Primary and secondary schools combined produce 80,382 tonnes of food waste a year.
  • Just school food waste costs the education sector £250 million every year.
kids sat eating in a school canteen.

What kind of waste 
do schools produce?

The types of waste found at schools vary greatly. Schools produce tonnes of different types of waste in the classroom, cafeteria, office, outside areas, and elsewhere. Many of these waste types are recyclable. Having an effective school waste management plan in place is vital to properly store and dispose of all school waste.

Some of the most common types of waste that schools produce include:

 

View all waste types
  • Food waste

    Waste food from lunches, snacks, and parties

    food waste
  • Paper recycling

    Textbooks, pupils’ work, printing, and photocopier paper

    PAPER
  • Cardboard waste

    Cardboard boxes for storage and packaging

    CARDBOARD
  • Packaging waste

    Food packaging and new supplies packaging

    Packaging waste collection
  • General waste

    Non-recyclable rubbish thrown in bins around the school

    GENERAL
  • WEEE waste

    Broken and damaged computers, tablets, and electronics

    WEEE
  • Sanitary waste

    Sanitary waste from school toilets and changing rooms

    SANITARY
  • Plastic waste

    Plastic packaging, toys, and food trays

    PLASTIC
  • Furniture

    Damaged and broken chairs, tables, and desks

    OFFICE
  • Glass waste

    Drinking glasses from the school cafeteria

    glass waste
  • Nappy waste

    Used nappies for younger years

    LANDLORD

Read our reviews

Business Waste is a fast and reliable company to see to all your waste needs. Great communication throughout the transfer and I would highly recommend. The lady I dealt with was called Lottie and was very polite and supportive throughout. A pleasure dealing with her and the company.
Bosworth Academy

School waste
FAQs

  • SCHOOLS Why is it important to promote recycling in schools?

    As thousands of young people enter through their doors each day, schools are at the forefront to fight against waste and its damaging impact on the environment. Their influential role in the lives of young people means places of education can teach young people habits they’ll take into the wider world when they’re adults.

    Recycling habits young people learn in school should go with them into their places of work and homes. If schools educate young people about the importance of recycling and empower them to take responsibility for their environment, then it’s possible the household waste recycling targets set in the UK can be reached and even surpassed.

  • SCHOOLS How can you promote recycling in schools?

    As with all forms of education, fostering a passion for the reasons behind behaviours is the key to creating sustainable habits. Making children curious about the world around them, the environment, and its vast biodiversity is the foundation of promoting recycling in schools.

    Understanding how waste affects wildlife and the natural world helps many young people become passionate about their responsibilities and motivates them to protect it by reducing waste. Embedding the promotion of recycling and responsible waste management into school curriculums can ensure all pupils are exposed to the topic. This provides them with a way of exploring their personal response.

    Literacy activities offer the opportunity to write articles and letters and discuss and debate the issue. Maths and science are the perfect vehicles to explore the science and statistics behind how and why we recycle. For recycling to become a way of life in school, it needs to be a part of young people’s day-to-day lives.

  • SCHOOLS What should I consider when setting up a recycling scheme in school?

    Before launching a recycling scheme in school, it’s important to consider any resources you need. School bins, signs, and clear labelling are all vital to the success of any recycling scheme. Ensuring these are present and placed in the correct areas will make a significant difference to pupils’ engagement in the scheme.

    As with all things concerning young people, making it fun and offering rewards adds to the success of a recycling scheme. Think about ways recycling could be incentivised. Perhaps consider linking the scheme to the school’s existing rewards program to encourage pupils to form good habits.

  • SCHOOLS What are five ways to reduce waste in schools?

    There are all sorts of things you can do to reduce waste at school. Here are five ways to get started:

    1. Serve food on plates rather than in takeaway boxes.
    2. Go paperless by communicating with parents and carers via email.
    3. Create a school ‘swap shop’ where pupils and parents can trade unwanted items.
    4. Replace traditional display boards with interactive screens.
    5. Create a school upcycling club.
  • SCHOOLS How can we save plastic at school?

    Plastic waste is a problem in many walks of life, including at schools. There are a few things you can try to reduce and save plastic at school:

    • Encourage reusable water bottles for both pupils and staff.
    • Avoid plastic plates, cups, and cutlery for class parties – choose reusables instead.
    • Seek school supplies in plastic-free or recyclable packaging.
    • Remove plastic drinks bottles from the school cafeteria, to encourage reusable bottles.
    • Educate about the importance of recycling and place plastic recycling bins around school.
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Get a fast, free quote for school waste collection

Get a fast FREE quote for your school waste collections

  • Free quote within 1 hr
  • Any type of school waste
  • FREE bins and delivery
  • We cover all of the UK