Is your school ready for the recycling legislation in 2025?

From March 2025, schools and businesses must comply with new regulations when it comes to recycling and waste management, with the requirement to have bins and collection measures for all recyclable waste. But what does this mean for your school?

Why is the recycling legislation being introduced?

This legislation has been in place in Scotland since 2014 and was introduced in Wales earlier this year, aiming to create a new, simpler approach to recycling. With the new requirements coming to England, the government wants to standardise recycling practices, so we use the same recycling practices at school, work, or home.

It is part of the UK’s drive to improve recycling and meet sustainability and net zero commitments – helping to protect our planet by lowering greenhouse emissions and reducing food waste.

By diverting food waste from landfills, the UK aims to reduce methane emissions and utilise recycle food waste in the production of compost and biogas to contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices and sustainable energy sources.

What does this mean for my school?

You will need to separate dry mixed recyclables and food waste from the general waste. This means schools will require a minimum of three waste containers – which can be bins, boxes, or bags. If your school does not comply with these rules, you could face fines – so it’s important to educate students and staff on the changes.

What does recyclable waste include?

• Food waste
• Glass (bottles, jars)
• Metal (aluminium and steel tins, cans, foil)
• Plastic (bottles, tubs, trays, containers)
• Paper (envelopes, magazines, copier paper, shredded paper)
• Cardboard (cardboard boxes, corrugated cardboard)

Recycling food waste
Food waste can no longer be placed in general waste bins and must be collected in specific food waste container.

Other recyclable waste
Schools can use the same bin for mixed dry recycling – including glass, metal, paper, and cardboard.

Are there any waste exclusions?

• Garden waste
• Plastic films

How does this benefit my school?

The changes in legislation should help reduce recycling costs and increase the rate of recycling to support your school’s sustainability goals.

This legislation is also an opportunity to teach students how to recycle and the benefits it can have for the environment – empowering children to make better choices at school and at home to protect the future of their planet.

How your school or trust can get ready for the legislation

Get ready for the legislation changes by ensuring you have the appropriate bins and waste storage. Colour coding and labelling can make the process simpler and make it easier for children to be involved in the recycling system.

It’s important for your students and staff to understand the importance of recycling and what this looks like day to day. It could be beneficial to carry out an audit of your current waste management practice to identify areas where more education or support is needed. Help remind your students and staff to recycle and separate waste with clear signage, posters, and simple guidelines. Need a poster? Our downloadable Recycling Legislation Media Pack is coming soon. Want to know when it’s available? Get added to our list!

How Forward Products can help your school

Not only do we have a range of bin systems to help your school simplify waste management and enhance efficiency, whilst complying with new legislative requirements – but we can also help you carry out your audits with a cleaning and hygiene review to help identify what you need to be compliant.

Plus, to encourage students and children to recycle, we will be launching our new range of monster and space bins to make recycling fun! So, keep your eyes peeled!

We want to make your recycling and waste management as simple as possible and our range of bins aims to do just that.

Sign up to our newsletter to stay updated with news on the legislation and our selection of bins! You can also get in touch with our expert team if you’d like further information OR to book a review.