The University’s Sustainability team has joined forces with the Students’ Union(UBU) to launch this year’s ‘Big GIVE’ which covers 21 university-owned halls and UNITE properties, collecting items from over 5,000 students to support 20 local charities.

And, as part of a scheme called ‘Student Summer Clear Out’, they are also working with Bristol City Council, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and UWE Bristol to provide donation bins and collection bags at over 3,000 private let students.

To make the campaign a success, the two universities and the council are urging both students and staff to raid their wardrobes and donate any items that are no longer wanted. BHF shops are always in need of clothing, shoes, accessories, CDs, DVDs, books, kitchenware and small electrical items.

It’s hoped that the students’ junk can be converted into over £50,000 of vital income for the chosen charities, while keeping the environmental impact to a minimum.

Last year, the Big GIVE at Bristol University raised over £11,000 as students and staff donated over three tonnes of clothes, food and household items which were then reused or recycled to help others.

In addition to the BHF, charities which will benefit include Oxfam, St Peters Hospice, Clic Sargent, the Wild Goose café in Easton, East Bristol Food Bank, Foodcycle, Fareshare 16-25 Independent People and many more.

Rose Rooney, from the Sustainability Department at the University of Bristol, said: “The Big GIVE is extremely important to help us promote the reuse of items at the University and provide students with the opportunity to have a positive impact on their environment and the local community through charitable donations.”

Teams of volunteers, led by UBU Volunteering – the Students’ Union volunteering programme, will begin the collection campaign in the middle of June and continue into July as all the items are sorted and distributed to charity.

Jemma Harford, Community Engagement Coordinator at UBU, said: "The reaction from students to get involved with the campaign as volunteers and donors has been fantastic and we haven't even got going yet. With so much excitement around the campaign things are looking good for a record breaking year."

Trudy Feeney, Community Cleansing Officer from Bristol City Council, said: “This is the perfect opportunity for our students to be both charitable and environmentally friendly with their unwanted items. We hope that all our students and staff take advantage of this convenient new service by having a clear out and donating their unwanted items.”