Waste, recycling and composting for schools
Background
Following the successful trial of a free recycling service in schools, we have now extended the service across the district. Now 82% of the schools with NHDC's refuse contract are collecting their food and card for composting and paper for recycling. Some are also recycling their glass and cans.
The service reinforces the recycling message to pupils, enables schools to become more environmentally aware and helps reduce waste sent to landfill.
What can be recycled?
The service includes:
- Up to four x 240 litre bins for food waste and cardboard
- Up to two x 240 litre bins for glass
- Up to two x 240 litre bins for cans/tins
- As many bins as required for paper
The bins issued to schools will be clearly labelled to identify which materials should be placed inside. The information pack provided to each school details which materials can be placed in each bin - please let us know if you require any duplicates of this pack.
When will the recycling be collected?
All recycling bins will be emptied fortnightly with refuse collections taking place weekly. Schools are reminded that both food and card must be mixed in the food/card bins as cardboard alone cannot be collected for composting.
Collection calendars will be sent to schools when there are updates.
If you have any queries regarding collections please contact Veolia on 0800 328 6023.
Promoting the recycling service in school
For the recycling service to work, everyone in the school needs to be aware of which materials can be recycled and where they should be placed for collection. For further information please see how everyone can get involved 
.
How is the school involved?
Each school should make arrangements internally for the collection of materials. This will include designating collection points in each room and emptying the boxes into the bins ready for collection.
It is the schools' responsibility to ensure the correct materials are placed within the bins for collection. Any bins which contain incorrect items will not be emptied.
The school must ensure that bins are accessible on collection day by 7.30am. Any gates or buildings must be unlocked to ensure clear access. Collection staff are not able to hold keys for any gates or doors that may need opening.
Resources
We suggest that schools carry out a waste audit to ascertain how much waste they are producing. This will enable schools to compare the waste they produce after they start recycling through a further waste audit at a later date.
Your school could also carry out extra activities such as monitoring the recycling collection boxes or bins to keep pupils involved.
- Primary general recycling/composting poster
- Secondary general recycling/composting poster
- Food waste poster for kitchen staff
- Recycle here sign
- Food Waste poster for dining rooms
Please also see the schools section of Recycle now 
, including specific information about how to reduce food waste in schools.
More websites and contacts .
Recycling officers are available to visit your school to help promote recycling with school talks and assemblies. To book a visit please contact Laura Lack on 01462 474541.
For more information on the schools recycling service please contact the Recycling team on 01462 474000 or e-mail us on service@north-herts.gov.uk 
Waste collection
A commercial collection service of residual waste is available to all schools in the district. For more information please contact Veolia on 0800 3286023.
