The summer term always creates a challenge for the Recycling and Waste team as we gear up for the Great Student Throw-out Fest. Adhering to the principles of the Waste Hierarchy, in which reuse is rated more highly than recycling, we partner with the British Heart Foundation and FareShare to encourage students to pass on their unwanted clothing, bric-a-brac and food rather than throw it away.

While the promotions are directed towards students, we're delighted to see staff join in so enthusiastically too. The results are now in, and we saw a huge 78% increase in clothing donations and 83% in book donations, compared to the same period last year. That's a staggering 5½ tonnes more!

Sadly the foodbank donations weren't quite as positive, with a 25% drop – this was mainly down to appalling weather on the first day and the coincidence of the collection for Grenfell Tower on the final day. However we still achieved in excess of a quarter of a tonne of food, and our first donations came from staff members.

Not to be outdone, our Warp It partnership with the Interior Services team – redistributing office furniture across and between Canterbury and Medway – has seen a phenomenal 170% increase year-on-year. First introduced in January 2016, the scheme saved £39,500 in the first six months of the year, compared to £106,700 in the first six months of this year. Not only that, but we're now linking up with local charities to pass on items which are now below the University's standards.
Thank you to all for your continued support in making our world just that little bit greener!