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The Business of Recycling England. WRAP England
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Why your educational establishment needs to recycle

The benefits of recycling in the education sector

Estimated reading time: 3 min

As a business or workplace that’s an educational setting, you’re considered to have a ‘Duty of Care’ to ensure that the waste your organisation generates is produced, stored, transported and disposed of without harming the environment. This is set out in the Environment Protection Act 1990 , but new legislation takes this a step further by making workplace recycling a legal requirement.

But there’s more to recycling than complying with legislation! There are lots of other great reasons to recycle, including:

  • Helping to tackle climate change: according to RecycleNow, current UK recycling is estimated to save more than 10-15 million tonnes of CO2 a year – the equivalent of taking 3.5 million cars off the road! Effective waste management and recycling, particularly of food waste, is important for all educational settings, because it reduces consumption of natural resources and the production of greenhouse gases.

  • Complying with your reporting obligations: the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) collects data from all publicly funded higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UK, as well as from a small number of private providers. The annual data collection includes estates management data, such as data on buildings, estates and environmental information about HEIs.

  • Providing educational opportunities: introducing or improving waste and recycling services provides students and staff with opportunities to recycle and manage their waste responsibly, in turn providing opportunities to educate students about the circular economy, sustainability and the climate and nature emergencies we are facing. It also gives students a positive action they can contribute to, helping to alleviate eco-anxiety. Let’s Go Zero is the national campaign for all UK schools, colleges and nurseries to be zero carbon by 2030. It gives schools free guidance and support – and a chance to add their voice to a growing call for national action.

Good to know

In 2023, the Government published the policy paper Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children’s services systems.

Vision: the United Kingdom is the world-leading education sector in sustainability and climate change by 2030.

In England, we will achieve this through the following strategic aims:

  1. Excellence in education and skills for a changing world: preparing all young people for a world impacted by climate change through learning and practical experience.

  2. Net zero: reducing direct and indirect emissions from education and care buildings, driving innovation to meet legislative targets, and providing opportunities for children and young people to engage practically in the transition to net zero.

  3. Resilience to climate change: adapting our education and care buildings and system to prepare for the effects of climate change.

  4. A better environment for future generations: enhancing biodiversity, improving air quality, and increasing access to, and connection with, nature in and around education and care settings.

In 2023 the Government published progress on the strategy achieved so far.

  • Reducing costs for your workplace: recycling is often cheaper than disposal, and larger organisations could save £400-£1,000 a year per employee. Take a look at the WRAP Business Resource Efficiency Guide: Green office guide and use our business waste calculator to find out how much you could save.

  • Helping fulfil your Net Zero commitments: as your suppliers and funders commit to net zero emissions, promoting your recycling activities will be increasingly important.

  • Improving process performance: eliminating and reducing waste will improve the performance of your processes by making them more efficient.

  • Attracting, motivating and retaining staff and students: students of any age now expect recycling as part of their education experience. A successful waste reduction and recycling programme depends on student and staff involvement and team-working. People who feel part of an organisation and are asked to be involved with projects are more likely to feel valued by their institution or employer.

  • Boosting your institution’s sustainability credentials: a positive reputation for responsible waste management and effective recycling across all your departments and, where applicable, accommodation can boost the prestige of your institution by appealing to students and staff who are environmentally aware. Your educational setting can work towards one or more eco-accreditations. Schools and early years providers can work towards the Green Flag accreditation through the Eco-Schools Programme, the Plastic Free Accreditation through the Plastic Free Schools Programme and the Plastic Clever Schools award, while the EAUC recognises exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges through the Green Gown Awards.

Good to know

80% of young people (aged 18-22) entering the workforce ranked tackling single use plastics as important for employers, ahead of reducing electricity and water consumption. 37% said that they would consider a potential employer’s environmental responsibility when looking for a job. – Business in the Community, Lifting the Lid on Waste

It’s also worth acknowledging that employees, students, parents, Governors and investors increasingly scrutinise how educational organisations operate. Setting bold public targets and demonstrating good practice in waste management sends a powerful message. It shows that your organisation assumes responsibility for the resources it uses and the waste it generates, demonstrates leadership and shows your organisation to be forward-thinking.