Waste & Recycling Advice

As the end of the academic year approaches you will be preparing to leave your accommodation, which usually means a good sort out of all the stuff you’ve gathered over the last year too!

We want to be as environmentally conscious as possible so we’ve made sure there are lots of ways you can donate or recycle items easily – and we ask that you try and keep your disposals into the general waste as low as possible.

The Waste and Recycling Team have collected some useful info below for you on the best solution to recycle/dispose of common items. But if in doubt please contact estatesfmcoordinator@kent.ac.uk for advice, or look on our website.

If you do have to throw something away, did you know one item misplaced into a recycling bin makes all the contents of that bin unviable for recycling?

Please take care and avoid contaminating recycling bins with general waste. Remember Black bags should only be used for general waste, clear recycling sacks should be used for all your recycling and spare sacks are available at college receptions.

 

  • Duvets and pillows: The best option for your duvets and pillows is to take them home with you for cleaning and re-use. Alternatively, donate to Stuff (see below) or a local charity – try Catching Lives in Canterbury (homeless charity) or another local charity.   We don’t have a recycling facility for these items so if you are unable to re-use yourself or donate to a charity they should be placed in the general waste bins in your nearest bin compound).
  • Electrical items: If you have any small electrical item to dispose of, place these in one of the four yellow WEEE bins on campus (See map for locations), avoid the general/waste bins.  Items in good working order can be put into one of the British Heart Foundation containers on campus.
  • Clothes, shoes, linen, DVDs and books:  Place in one of the eight British Heart Foundation containers on campus (see map for locations).  Free bags are available from college receptions and the Estate Customer Services Reception.  The donation containers will be emptied regularly during the departures period.
  • New/unused food, cooking utensils or new/unopened personal hygiene products: Can all be donated to the Student Pantry or STUFF where they’ll be available for other students who need them. All food must be non perishable and in-date and example personal hygiene products include toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, sanitary products etc. For more information including where and when drop off points will be please visit: https://kentunion.co.uk/here-for-you/stuff

 

A map is also available which shows your nearest bins and recycling locations.