The Challenge
Schools face rising waste disposal costs due to increasing landfill levies and more complex recycling requirements. Many schools are locked into long-term contracts or paying for services they don’t fully use. Without expert oversight, waste bills can escalate, reducing funds available for teaching and learning.Our Solution
Total Utilities provides a comprehensive waste management review, including:- Contract Analysis – We benchmark current rates against market pricing and identify opportunities for renegotiation.
- Invoice Validation – Even schools within existing contracts can save money. We verify invoices against agreed rates and confirm that charges match the contract and that waste collection assets on site are still relevant for waste handling needs.
- Waste Handling Improvements – We help schools reduce landfill waste and carbon emissions through better recycling practices and bin optimisation.
Impact
By reducing waste buying prices and improving waste handling, schools have achieved:- Lower landfill volumes
- Reduced carbon emissions
- Significant cost savings redirected to education
How Savings Support Students
Cost savings are often added to a school’s discretionary budget, enabling investment in initiatives that directly benefit students. Schools have used savings to:- Purchase new sports equipment (e.g., balls, uniforms, goal posts)
- Fund field trips and camps for enriched learning experiences
- Invest in classroom technology and resources (devices, STEM kits)
- Support student wellbeing programmes and extracurricular activities
Success Highlights
- 12 High Schools
- 16,000+ Students
- $600,000 Total Savings
- Average 41% Reduction Over 3 Years
Savings Summary
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Schools Supported | 12 |
| Students Benefiting | 16,000+ |
| Total Savings Achieved | $600,000 |
| Average Savings | 41% over 3 years |
Finding Savings for Schools Within Contract
Even if your school is currently within contract, Total Utilities can identify and recover savings by:- Validating invoices against contract rate cards to ensure the correct rates are being applied in practice.
- Matching charges to onsite assets (bin sizes, types, collection frequency) to prevent billing for assets or services you don’t have.
- Detecting anomalies such as duplicate collections, incorrect levies, or unimplemented discounts.