Some schools use their local authorities, some use local private contractors, some have no satisfactory arrangements. Some local authorities will take virtually everything, some are very choosy, some charge, some don't. In some places you can't get rid of cardboard, elsewhere the problem is shredded paper. But the legal obligation on schools to recycle remains - and it is not an excuse in law to say "we can't because the council don't help us".
One point that comes from this once again is that councils vary in what they offer. Several correspondents wrote along the lines that "we use the council, and I am sure this service is available everywhere". But that is not the case - whatever topic we look at we find huge regional variations, and you can't assume that what you have found in your area applies anywhere else.
Most schools using private firms used local companies, and it is beyond my means to list all these. I did try checking each one mentioned, but it was hard going - I found websites that didn't work, companies that apparently did provide a general service to schools but which told me they only did toner cartridges, and several that promised to call back, but didn't.
By far the most helpful company I contacted was BIFFA - I don't say that because they've paid me, but as a simple fact - they answered the phone, answered my questions, supplied extra information, and they have a service that is available in most parts of the country.
So to start from the beginning... from the end of October last year, new regulations were introduced that meant schools, colleges and universities had to recycle their waste.
For most schools this meant the introduction of separate containers for recyclable waste. The alternative was and is to continue throwing waste into one container for it to be segregated at a recycling facility.
Biffa recycling manager, Phil Conran told me, “We have a national collection service for cardboard and extensive coverage for both paper and glass, which we are expanding rapidly. We also have the ability to deal with mixed waste to which no treatment has been applied, by disposing of this through sorting facilities.”
A comprehensive explanation of the pre-treatment requirements can be found at www.biffa.co.uk/pretreatment. Details of recycling services available to you can be obtained direct from Biffa on 0800 307 307.
|
trans.gif){kind=small}