Schools' Waste - possible changes to charging structure

Under the Controlled Waste regulations 1992 Schedule 2, schools' waste is classed as Household Waste. Schools may request their district council to collect this, and the district council has "... a duty to arrange a collection…." under the Environmental Protection Act s. 45/5. The district council have the power to make a charge for this collection. The school must NOT be charged for the disposal of this waste (at present, this is paid by the County Council)

The school may choose to contract directly with a commercial waste company itself. If it does so, the waste is classed as commercial waste, and the charges will include collection AND disposal.

DEFRA propose to alter the Regulations to permit passing on the disposal costs to schools. This will mean that, whether the school has its waste collected via the district council or a commercial company in a private contract, both collection and disposal charges will be levied.

Irrespective of whether schools choose to have their waste collected via a district council or via a commercial contractor, their waste is still eligible to qualify for the payment of Recycling and Reuse Credits - at present £54.54 per tonne. If you require further information about such a claim, please contact Louise Woods by telephoning 01228 227769 or email louise.woods@cumbriacc.gov.uk