CUSTOMER
School waste management & recycling services
From canteen leftovers to old laptops, schools generate a wide range of waste. Without professional waste management assistance, handling it all can feel like a full-time job.
At First Mile, we make school waste management simple, sustainable and fully compliant. Whether you’re running a primary school, academy or college, we’ll tailor your collections to match the school calendar, with flexible pick-up times during term and holidays.
Our UK-wide service is trusted by hundreds of schools, and everything we collect is guaranteed zero-to-landfill. From food waste to e-waste, we help you dispose of waste responsibly while hitting your environmental targets.
With clear reporting, smart bins and friendly support, we’re the partner you need for a cleaner, greener campus.
School timetables don’t run nine to five, and neither do we. Our waste collection for schools is designed around your calendar, with flexible services during term time and reliable cover through holidays and teacher-training days.
We offer early morning or after-school collections to avoid disruption to pupils and staff, with safe, discreet handling from trained operatives. Whether you’re managing a busy primary school, a multi-site academy or a large college campus, we’ll adapt to your schedule and space.
Our team will work with you to build a waste plan that fits your facilities (including frequency, container types and access needs), so your site stays clean, safe and compliant all year round.
Sustainability is high on the agenda for schools across the UK, and your waste strategy can make a big difference. First Mile helps you reduce waste, increase recycling and cut carbon, all while staying fully compliant.
We divert 100% of waste from landfill, with high recycling rates across every stream. Our services include detailed carbon reporting and recycling data, so you can track progress and share results in school communications, Ofsted reports or curriculum projects.
Many schools use our data dashboards to support eco committees, student-led sustainability campaigns or lessons in environmental science. It’s a hands-on way to bring sustainability to life in the classroom while proving your commitment at a leadership level.
Together, we can build a cleaner, greener future for your school community.
Schools have a legal duty to manage waste safely and responsibly. At First Mile, we make compliance easy by taking care of the paperwork and processes for you.
We help schools meet their obligations under key regulations, including:
- Food waste rules – ensuring food is collected separately and disposed of correctly
- Secure electronics recycling – with certified data destruction for IT equipment
- Duty of care documentation – to prove you’re handling waste responsibly
- Waste transfer notes – provided digitally for every collection
Our services are designed with education settings in mind, so you can minimise risk, stay audit-ready and focus on running your site.
Hundreds of schools across the UK trust First Mile for reliable, sustainable waste solutions. From small primary schools to large academies and colleges, education providers choose us for our flexible collections, dedicated support and smart reporting tools.
With years of experience and a proven track record, we help schools stay clean, compliant and ahead on sustainability – all with minimal hassle. That’s why First Mile is the go-to partner for school waste management nationwide.
Get a quote for school waste collection today
Looking for a smarter way to manage your school’s waste? Get a tailored quote from First Mile in under two minutes.
It’s quick to switch, with no disruption to your day-to-day operations. You’ll get flexible collections, digital access to waste and recycling reports, and ongoing support from our friendly team.
Join the hundreds of UK schools already benefiting from sustainable, stress-free waste services.
Can schools recycle electronics and IT equipment?
Yes. First Mile offers secure, compliant electronics recycling for schools, including IT assets like laptops, printers, chargers and AV equipment.
We provide certified data destruction to meet GDPR standards and protect student and staff information. It’s a safe, sustainable way to dispose of school e-waste while supporting your zero-to-landfill goals and compliance responsibilities.
How is food waste handled in schools?
We provide separate school food waste collection to help reduce contamination and improve recycling rates. Food waste from canteens, kitchens and lunch areas is taken to anaerobic digestion or composting facilities, where it’s turned into renewable energy or nutrient-rich soil.
It’s a cost-effective, eco-friendly service that supports your school recycling UK goals and helps meet new food waste regulations.
What’s included in your school waste collection service?
Our school waste management service includes everything you need for a compliant, stress-free setup. We supply bins for each waste type, signage to support staff and student use, and flexible collection times that fit your school’s schedule.
You’ll also receive zero-to-landfill processing, digital access to reports and documents, and expert support to guide your school waste reduction programme.
Do you offer services for colleges and academies too?
Absolutely. We offer tailored waste services for academies and colleges across the UK, with flexible collection options for large campuses or multi-site trusts.
Whether you’re managing a sixth form, FE college or academy group, our team works with you to build a sustainable, compliant plan – with reporting, carbon tracking and tools that support long-term school waste management goals.
Get in touch
We'd love to hear from you to discuss your recycling needs and provide a tailor-fit quote for your business.
