Are you moving out of your accommodation soon? We’ve put together this guide to help you move out as sustainably as possible, including convenient places where you can easily donate or recycle your unwanted items.
Each year, a significant amount of waste is generated during the move out period, including food, clothes, books, electronics, and cookware. In July last year, we collected over 14 extra tonnes of general waste, 4.5 tonnes of recycling and 1 tonne of food on top of our normal monthly collections.
Please do not leave personal belongings behind in your room or communal areas, as these may result in disposal charges, and remember that it’s always likely someone else will find your items useful.
To move out of your accommodation as sustainably as possible and reduce waste, please follow our tips and guidance below.
Use the waste hierarchy
This is a framework that prioritises waste management strategies to minimise environmental impact. It consists of the following key categories:
1. Prevention
Ask friends or colleagues if they could use what you no longer need — it saves them buying something new.
Sell items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, Daily Info, Next Door or Gumtree.
2. Reuse
Drop off usable items at local charity shops. Just search online for “charity shop Oxford” to find one nearby.
Share usable food items with neighbours or flatmates or use apps like Olio or Too Good to Go to save wasting food.
You can also donate unwanted/leftover non-perishable food items to a foodbank such as CEF Community Emergency Foodbank. Items must have a ‘sell by’ date of 3 months which is clearly visible.
3. Recycle
Use designated recycling points for electronics, batteries, and other recyclables.
Medical products should be returned to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.
4. Disposal
Please do not dispose of furniture or electrical items in standard refuse bins. You can dispose of furniture and electricals in Oxford by taking it to the Redbridge Household Waste Recycling Centre, please ensure you book before setting off. You can also book and pay for a bulky waste collection with Oxford City Council, or donate usable items to charities like Helen & Douglas House or Emmaus Oxford.
Please do not pour chemicals, cleaning products, medical supplies, or expired medication down sinks or toilets, as these can harm the environment.
Please only use the general waste bin when no other option is available. By taking a few extra steps, you can help reduce waste and carbon emissions and ensure your belongings are reused or recycled responsibly. Learn more about the waste hierarchy
Recycle any outstanding items correctly, such as making sure glass bottles go in the correct bin, etc.
After removing all rubbish from your room, please dispose of it at the designated collection points on site:
Alan Bullock Close: The bin store can be found behind Block 4.
Castle Mill: Bin stores can be found outside each Block.
Cavalier Court: Bin stores can be found at the front of Block A and B.
Jack Straw’s Lane: Bin stores are in the parking area to the front of the building.
St John Street: Please place rubbish (in black bags) and recycling (in clear bags) near the kitchen bins. It will be collected from the house.
Summertown House: Bin stores can be found next to East Block and in the car park opposite West Block.
Walton Street: Bins are in the parking area adjacent to houses 132–133 on Walton Street.
Wellington Square: Bins are in the parking area adjacent to houses 132–133 on Walton Street.
Woodstock Road: Bins are in the on-site parking area.
Donate where possible
Donating is a great choice that can make a real difference. There are several organisations nearby that accept donations, including the following:
For more information related to sustainability, including how to get involved, student opportunities, please visit the sustainability website at sustainability.admin.ox.ac.uk/.
Contact us
If you need help finding sustainable disposal or options, please contact your Site Assistant.
Thank you for assisting with our Sustainability Goals and all the best for a promising journey ahead!
