What to include in a recycling policy

A policy may include a simple policy statement, such as:
"Our school will conduct its activities and operations to reflect best environmental practice in order to control and reduce our direct impacts on the environment."

This may be followed by a list of commitments, e.g.:

• reduce the amount of rubbish we send to landfill;
• increase the amount of rubbish we recycle; and
• collect our food waste for composting."

Your recycling policy should include a list of actions that your school will take to achieve the objectives set out in your recycling policy. Each action should have a timescale and responsible person assigned to it. Examples include:

• "We will ensure that every room in the school is provided with a highly visible and convenient recycling bin (reviewed at the end of each term – classroom teachers to report if repairs or replacements are needed)."
• "We will run regular recycling and environment workshops and events to maintain knowledge and awareness amongst the students and wider school community (events to be held each term – responsibility of the designated teacher)."
• "We will ensure catering staff have ready access to recycling bins and are trained to dispose of food packaging appropriately (reviewed annually – joint responsibility of the chief caterer and designated teacher)."
• "We will recycle mobile phones through a special collection (conducted annually – responsibility of the designated teacher)."
• "We will purchase recycled office paper and stationery, closing the loop on the paper recycled by the school."