Schools and colleges are a role model for their students, acting as a moral compass for their life both in and out of education. That’s why it is so important that schools have the right waste management and recycling practices in place.

Many schools incorporate their waste management into everyday school life, allowing pupils to gain a better understanding of their impact on the environment and helping them to develop good habits that they can carry on at home and into their future. This ensures more waste is kept from landfill and the whole community embraces a more sustainable way of living.

Segregating waste is the first step towards this.

Separating different types of waste, like cardboard, plastics, food and general waste, is key. By using clearly labelled bins, and educating staff and students about why this is important to follow, the whole school can join together on the sustainability journey.

Once your waste is separated, each waste type must be disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way. Having the right waste management equipment and processes in place is vital.

Balers and compactors are a great investment for schools. They are simple and easy to use, and students can get involved too. 

Balers compact recycled waste, such as cardboard or plastic, into bales. These neatly wrapped bundles of recyclable materials not only keep the school premises tidy and reduce the need for storage space, they can even make the school money. Recycling companies will buy bales of cardboard and plastic from schools, creating a whole new revenue stream whilst doing your bit for the environment.

Many schools incorporate their baler into their lessons by encouraging students to bring in cardboard from home and collect cardboard from around the school. It is the perfect opportunity to educate on recycling and what happens to our waste.

Some schools even set a whole school challenge to see which class can collect the most cardboard with prizes awarded to engage learners. Weekly visits to the baler to drop off cardboard and watch the process in action can be a great lesson in itself.

Compactors help schools manage their general waste by compacting non-recyclable waste and reducing its volume considerably. This means fewer waste collections and cost savings. Schools won’t be charged as much to have the waste collected and processed as these costs are often calculated based on volume. Schools could save as much as 90% of their waste costs simply by compacting their non-recyclable waste.

Compactors come in all sizes and styles too, including compactors designed for internal use, making them ideal across the entire school.  

phs Wastekit stands as a valuable partner in the journey towards sustainable and cost-effective waste management solutions for schools. Our compactors, balers, and specialty equipment are designed to not only minimise waste but also significantly reduce disposal costs.

At phs Wastekit, we understand that every school is unique, and space constraints can vary. That's why our equipment comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, ensuring that there's always a solution tailored to fit the specific needs of any educational institution, regardless of its size.

Our commitment extends beyond just providing equipment; we offer a complimentary Waste Saving Audit, ensuring schools can make informed decisions tailored to their specific needs. By removing the guesswork, we empower educational institutions to invest wisely in sustainable waste management practices, ultimately benefiting both their bottom line and the environment.

Of course, good practices also need to be in place for other types of waste. Many schools embrace composting as a way to manage food waste, and reusing and in-school recycling projects are also popular ways to keep as much waste from landfill as possible.

It’s worth noting that in Wales separating waste will no longer just be good practice, it will be a legal requirement. From 6 April 2024, all schools, businesses and organisations in Wales will have to sort their waste for recycling by law.

The following materials will need to be separated for collection, and collected separately:

• Food
• Paper and card
• Glass
• Metal, plastic and cartons
• Unsold textiles
• Unsold small waste electrical and electronic equipment (sWEEE)

If you are a school or college in Wales, you can find out more here Workplace recycling | GOV.WALES

phs Wastekit is passionate about inspiring future generations and we offer support to schools wherever possible to help instil good waste management habits amongst staff and pupils.

phs Wastekit can help schools initiate ‘cardboard collecting drives’ and other recycling initiatives, and provide prizes for winning classes. We can also help pupils learn about how to separate different waste streams, such as general, paper, plastic and glass, and why it is important to separate waste in this way.

Talk to phs Wastekit’s team today about how we can support your school on your sustainability journey. Call 0800 169 3534 or visit www.phswastekit.co.uk