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Save the Environment and Raise Money!

Save the Environment and Raise Money!

Recycling is a fantastic way for schools and nurseries to make a positive impact on the planet while generating extra funds for important projects like a new school canopy. However, not every recycling scheme will suit your setting, so it’s worth exploring different options to see which works best for your community.

A great starting point is to send a short survey home to parents and carers. This will help identify which items families are most able to recycle regularly, allowing you to choose a scheme that benefits both your school and the environment.

Below is a guide to some popular recycling schemes and the types of items they accept:

Aluminium Cans

Scheme: Think Cans – Cash for Cans
This initiative offers a “cash for cans” service to schools and charities, rewarding you for every aluminium can recycled. Alongside cash rewards, you’ll receive free posters, leaflets, and potentially free recycling boxes and bags. Their website also provides engaging educational activities and information sheets to help pupils understand the value of recycling.

Clothing, Shoes & Accessories

Scheme: Bag 2 School
Bag 2 School offers £500 per tonne (that’s 50p per kilo) of clothing collected. They accept a wide range of items including clothing, shoes, bags, belts, hats, scarves, soft toys, and even jewellery.

  • 80% of clothing collected is reused in countries across Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, and Asia.
  • The remainder is recycled into products such as blankets, socks, and industrial materials.
    You’ll also receive free promotional posters and collection bags to make organising the scheme easy.

Difficult-to-Recycle Items

Scheme: TerraCycle
TerraCycle specialises in recycling items that are difficult to process through regular household systems, including certain packaging and hard-to-recycle plastics. Collected materials are repurposed into affordable, eco-friendly products.

  • Schools earn 2p per item, which can be donated to your own setting or another chosen charity.
  • Many of their recycling programmes are free to join and supported by well-known brands.

Getting Started

There are countless recycling companies across the UK, so it’s worth researching which ones operate in your area and offer the best returns for your needs. Whether you choose one scheme or a combination, the benefits are clear and, less waste going to landfill, more resources for your school, and a greener future for the next generation.

By embracing a recycling programme, your school can truly save the environment and raise money, a win-win for both your pupils and the planet.

Able Canopies Ltd. design, manufacture and install commercial grade canopies, shade sails,
awnings and shelters across the UK. We specialise in servicing the education, leisure,
healthcare and retail sectors and have extensive experience working with
schools, councils, architects and contracting firms.
For more information on our products and services please contact us

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