Schools Urged to Improve Recycling on Global Recycling Day

Schools across England are being urged to step up recycling efforts as new figures highlight the scale of waste generated across the education sector.

To mark Global Recycling Day on Wednesday 18th March, online learning provider High Speed Training says schools have a powerful role to play in cutting waste and helping young people build lifelong sustainable habits.

While classrooms are places of learning and innovation, the company says they also produce significant amounts of waste that could often be reduced with relatively simple changes.

Dr Richard Anderson, Learning Experience Director at High Speed Training, said:

“We urge schools to look beyond the immediate environmental benefits and consider the long-term impact. By integrating recycling into the school day, educators help children form lifelong habits that turn them into conscientious, environmentally aware adults.

“The education sector has a profound opportunity to lead by example. When schools embrace waste reduction, they don’t just lower their carbon footprint; they improve their reputation with parents and can even see significant savings in their over-stretched budgets.”

Four Key Sources of School Waste

High Speed Training highlights four major areas where schools can focus their efforts to reduce waste.

Paper is the largest contributor. Primary school pupils create around 45kg of paper waste per year, while secondary school students produce around 22kg annually.

Food waste is also significant. Primary schools in England generate 55,408 tonnes of food waste each year, while secondary schools produce 24,974 tonnes, bringing the total to 80,382 tonnes across England’s schools annually.

Plastic continues to present challenges, particularly through everyday items such as milk carton straws and sandwich bags. The company encourages schools to replace single use sachets with bulk dispensers in canteens and promote reusable bottles.

Electronic waste is another concern. Under the WEEE Regulations 2013, items such as printers and monitors must be disposed of properly. High Speed Training notes that ink cartridges can take up to 1,000 years to decay if they end up in landfill.

Confidence Gap Among Teachers

High Speed Training says there is also a gap between what students want to learn and how confident teachers feel about teaching environmental topics.

Research from Teach the Future found 68% of students want to learn more about the environment, but 75% of teachers say they have not received enough training to teach climate change effectively.

To help address this, the company recommends several practical steps for schools.

These include encouraging student involvement, such as allowing pupils to design recycling labels and posters, carrying out waste audits to understand what is being thrown away before introducing composting schemes, and ensuring staff training gives teachers the confidence to lead environmental discussions.

Dr Richard Anderson added:

“Global Recycling Day serves as a vital reminder that our resources are finite, but our capacity for change is not. Schools are the heart of our communities. By empowering teachers and students with the right knowledge today, we aren’t just managing waste; we are cultivating a mindset of sustainability that pupils will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

Further advice and guidance can be found on the High Speed Training Hub and in their guide Recycling in Schools: How Can We Reduce Waste?.