Creating Value In Schools
Please enjoy this free content - for more Need To Know articles please consider a subscription
Simpler Recycling is all about – guess what – making recycling simpler and standardised across England. Statutory changes came into force on 31 March 2025 for businesses, including schools. Core recyclables must be collected. Food waste must now be collected separately and not go into landfill.
Simpler Recycling plans were announced by the previous Government in 2023. The drive is to make recycling practices more consistent throughout England, and easier for everyone to understand – no more variation in practices between different councils, or numbers of bins proliferating.
Domestic recycling rates have plateaued at around 44% over the last 10 years, so in part this is an effort to improve this.
It’s also about working towards a more zero waste, circular economy, where resources are kept in use for longer, more high quality recycled material is available and we work towards net zero in carbon emissions.
The standard the Government is working towards is four collection streams – or four bins:
Garden waste could be included within food waste, or offered as an optional collection, as is already the case with many councils.
Changes to domestic recycling come into force on March 31, 2026. For businesses (other than small businesses with a workforce of fewer than 10 people), the changes came into force on 31 March, 2025.
Food waste must now be collected separately from other waste and recycling, and cannot go into landfill.
From 31 March 2025, recycling and collection measures for all types of recyclable waste are required to be in place in your school, except garden waste and plastic film.
For schools, this includes:
See: Getting your school or trust ready for new recycling regulations
Schools need to liaise with their waste management collection service, and make sure that their bin arrangements are compliant with the new regulations.
Paper and card and other types of recycling can be co-collected, but check this with your waste collection service.
Food waste must be stored in separate bins and collected by licensed waste collectors. Biodegradable materials such as vegetable peelings, bones, eggshells, coffee grounds and tea bags are to be included as food waste.
If your setting hasn’t done so already, this is a good opportunity to conduct a waste audit and see where processes can be improved or simplified. Are you getting the best service from your waste collector? Are they compliant with the new regulations?
Also, consider your food waste. As noted in New food waste legislation coming in 2025:
A third of all food produced currently goes to waste – that’s not good for the planet or for catering budgets. Perhaps this legislation gives your existing waste reduction efforts bigger ‘teeth’ and will subsequently reduce wasted food and wasted money.
See Reducing food waste in catering environments for suggestions.
