Children picking up litter

Procuring waste and recycling services for Surrey schools

Legal requirement to separate materials for recycling

The law is changing in England and Simpler Recycling will require businesses, including educational establishments, by 31 March 2025 to recycle the following materials:

  • Food waste
  • Paper and card
  • Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, and cartons
  • Metal tins and cans, foil and empty aerosols

Further information can be found on our business recycling page.

Procuring waste and recycling services

If your school needs a new waste or recycling service there are some things to consider:

  • Follow your school’s procurement process. This might include getting three quotes, and comparing the quality of the service as well as the cost.
  • The types of waste and recycling you will need to have collected. This will include general waste and all of the materials that are required to be recycled by the new Simpler Recycling laws from 31 March 2025. You may also have other materials that need to be collected such as confidential waste and healthcare waste.
  • How often will you need the bins emptied, and will you be able to reduce/stop collections over the holidays?
  • What bin capacity do you need? Be sure to understand what you are paying for and make sure you aren’t paying to have bins emptied that you don’t need.
  • Does the collecting organisation offer anything else beneficial e.g., posters, internal bins, school assemblies or support in reducing waste and increasing recycling?
  • Make sure the collecting organisation has a waste carriers’ licence.
  • You may wish to ask for references to check.
  • It may be cost effective to have different organisations collecting different types of waste.

To find out more about recycling for the education sector, you can find helpful guidance here: Business of Recycling | WRAP | Guidance for the Education Sector.

Where to look for collection organisations

There are several factors to consider when looking for collection organisations to ask for quotes from:

  • If there is an organisation that already collects waste from your school (and you are looking to extend the service to include additional materials), you could see if they can facilitate what you need.
  • Your local district or borough council (they sometimes offer a service to schools).
  • Other commercial waste collection companies.

See also