Stopping students’ cast-offs going straight to landfill

‘The stuff we have found left is mind boggling; so much more could be achieved with an official well-publicised scheme. This isn’t rocket science’

Campaigners have launched a petition to try and stop a “mind boggling” amount of goods left by students from entering landfill.

Canterbury Green Team says tonnes of usable electrical items, crockery and clothes could be used by charities or even by ‘free shops’ located at Kent universities.

Diane Hunt and Mark Warner, founders of the organisation, which wants to introduce a goods waste prevention scheme, say some items are still sealed in their packaging.

When students leave their accommodation in halls of residence, any belongings that are left behind have to be thrown out, so the team rifles through the bins to salvage perfectly good items before going on to distribute from their Hale Road garages.

Diane said: “The stuff we have found left is mind boggling; so much more could be achieved with an official well-publicised scheme that doesn’t require going through contaminated rubbish to recycle unwanted stuff.

“There are already numerous schemes operating both nationally and globally. This is not rocket science. This can be done.”

The duo have the support of the students, with many using their pop-up free shops over the summer.

She added: “Most of this stuff is ideal for the following year’s students and we think that these items should be made available all year round in campus free shops.

“We have found so much great stuff – one student even got to use a lacrosse stick and we have even saved old university mascots from going to landfill.”

The petition has 596 signatures so far and it is hoped this will generate a discussion with councils, education institutions and charities.

The city council supports the initiative. Spokesman Rob Davies said: “This an interesting idea and one we are keen to pursue, working with the local education institutions, charities and other interested organisations.

“We have already had discussions with the Green Team about how it could work, and more are planned in the new year.”