Leave it Out
In previous years the University has funded £2000 to Bristol City Council to pay for additional waste collections from student properties between mid June and mid July. In 2011 The Accommodation Office worked with the University's Sustainability Team, Bristol City Council and the University of England on a new summer end of term waste initiative. The aim was to reduce the problem of end of term waste and complaints by reducing the amount of rubbish sent to landfill which usually consists of good quality reusable items.
A pack was delivered to approximately 500 student occupied properties on roads which historically have been the subject of waste complaints. The pack contained a leaflet informing students about the scheme, five St Peters Hospice bags and Council stickers for non-recyclable rubbish allowing students to place stickered bags out for extra waste collections. St Peters Hospice collected from the targeted streets every day over the 6 week initiative and Bristol City Council collected non-recyclable waste twice weekly. Students were able to leave stickered bags in their garden rather than having to have them out on the pavement for collection.
Rubbish complaints from the targeted areas received by the Council were reduced by 28% . A number of St Peters Hospice bags were collected but it became clear that there was an issue with many bags getting stolen. The Accommodation Office received no complaints about rubbish in the targeted areas during the initiative.
The intention for 2011/12 is that a similar initiative will be undertaken. Clothing banks will be “stationed” around the localities and students will be asked to drop bags off there and also to a collection vehicle at designated times and locations. This should eliminate the problem of bags being stolen.