Nursery and Childcare Waste Sorted for Nature's Nook

Opening a nursery or childcare setting is exciting - but alongside staffing, safeguarding and creating the right environment for children, waste management is an important area that can be overlooked.

Getting the correct waste setup in place early helps childcare providers stay compliant, maintain hygiene standards and avoid unnecessary disruption once children arrive.

At Marshalls, we recently worked with Nature’s Nook Day Nursery in Norfolk during their pre-opening phase to help ensure everything was correctly planned and in place before opening day.

Here’s what nurseries and childcare settings should consider when planning their waste management.

Understanding Nursery Waste Streams

Childcare settings produce several different types of waste every day. Having clear separation from the start is key to keeping things safe and efficient.

🗑️ General Waste

Items that cannot be recycled, such as contaminated packaging or mixed materials.

♻️ Dry Mixed Recycling

Cardboard, paper, plastics and cans that can be recycled when kept clean and separated correctly.

🍎 Food Waste

Food preparation leftovers, meal scraps and snack waste are common in nurseries and need dedicated food waste containers to avoid contamination and hygiene issues.

🩺 Clinical / Hygiene Waste

Items such as nappies or hygiene-related waste often require specialist handling and appropriate disposal arrangements.

Case Study: Nature’s Nook Day Nursery, Norfolk

During Nature’s Nook’s pre-opening period, we worked closely with the team to design a practical waste system that would support daily operations and meet compliance requirements from day one.

Their setup included:

• 1100L General Waste

• 1100L Recycling

• 240L Clinical Waste

• 240L Food Waste

Alongside bin supply, Marshalls also supported with:

✔️ Waste transfer notes

✔️ Duty of care documentation

✔️ Collection scheduling

✔️ Advice on practical setup and placement

✔️ Ensuring compliance before opening

Having everything organised early meant staff could focus on welcoming children rather than troubleshooting waste issues later.

Compliance & Duty of Care

All nurseries and childcare providers have a legal responsibility to manage their waste correctly.

This includes:

• Using a registered waste carrier

• Keeping waste transfer documentation

• Ensuring waste is handled safely and appropriately

• Keeping records for audits or inspections

Working with an experienced provider helps ensure everything is documented correctly and reduces risk for the business.

Food Waste: Often Underestimated

Food waste is one of the biggest streams in childcare settings due to:

• Daily meals and snacks

• Food prep waste

• Plate leftovers

Without the right container size or collection frequency, food waste can quickly become a hygiene issue.

Planning food waste capacity early prevents overflow, odours and pest problems - especially in busy settings.

Practical Considerations for Nurseries

When planning your waste setup, think about:

• Ease of access for staff

• Safe placement away from play areas

• Collection day access for drivers

• Clear bin signage to avoid contamination

• Future growth (more children = more waste)

The right setup should make waste management simple, not stressful.

Why Pre-Opening Planning Matters

When nurseries plan waste early, they benefit from:

✔️ Smoother opening process

✔️ Better hygiene and safety standards

✔️ Clear staff guidance

✔️ Fewer operational issues later on

✔️ Confidence they’re compliant

It’s much easier to get things right before opening than to make changes once you’re fully operational.

How Marshalls Supports Childcare Settings

At Marshalls , we work with businesses to create waste solutions that actually fit how they operate.

For nurseries and childcare providers, this means:

• Advice on correct waste streams

• Right-sized bins for your environment

• Reliable local collections

• Full documentation and compliance support

• Friendly, real people at the end of the phone

Planning a New Nursery or Reviewing Your Current Setup?

If you’re opening a childcare setting - or feel your current waste setup isn’t quite right - we’re happy to help.

Getting the foundations right early makes everything easier later.

Contact Marshalls to discuss your setup today by emailing info@marshallswaste.co.uk