Recycling in schools

Simpler Recycling legislation came into effect in April 2025 meaning all schools must have separate collections for

• dry recyclable materials (plastic, metal, glass, paper and card)
• food waste

The council gives all schools dry recycling and food waste bins, along with a free weekly collection. If you need more bins or do not have separate collections for these materials, complete the recycling in schools form to set this up.

Think you could recycle more? A recycling officer can visit and offer advice and support to improve recycling at your school.

Charities like Scope can provide a textile bank to collect clothes and shoes.

Recycling education

• Request “What can I recycle” posters
  To display around the school and encourage pupils to recycle
• Download food waste posters
  Poster to label your food waste bins and poster to display on the wall
• Recycling presentation
  A recycling officer can deliver a classroom activity for primary school aged children. Children and staff learn which waste materials should go into the recycling bin, with a game to reinforce learning
• Stall at your school event
  A recycling officer can come along to your fete or open day

Complete the recycling in schools form if you want any of these services at your school.

Support for teachers

• Eco-schools provides a very simple environmental management system that empowers young people to introduce and lead environmental actions and education in their school
• Online curriculum linked resources are available at Recycle Now
• Litter picking equipment would you like to organise a litter pick at your school? We can loan you litter picking equipment including child and adult sized litter pickers and gloves.

Complete the recycling in schools form

How to recycle toner cartridges

Please do not put toner cartridges in the purple recycling bins or general waste rubbish bins. You could raise money for your school through schemes like:

• Recycle4Charity
• The Recycling Factory 

Alternatively, major toner cartridge makers offer free recycling schemes. Search online for your maker’s scheme.