St Andrews unprecedented recycling effort

Thursday 21 May 2015

2015-05-21T15:05 St Andrews unprecedented recycling effort mb

Students at the University of St Andrews are involved in an unprecedented recycling effort to benefit the wider community.

At this time of year some 2000 students are moving out of University residences and private accommodation clearing out literally tonnes of household items.

Collection points have been set up across the University estate where furniture, clothes footwear, books, food, sports equipment and other items have been handed in to be redistributed to good causes.

Among those to benefit from the end of term clear out are the homeless charity Frontline Fife, the Storehouse foodbank in St Andrews which provides food for local families, and children’s charity Barnardo’s.

As well as giving to the local community, this year’s student leavers are also recycling their possessions for next year’s intake.

Through the StAndReUse scheme students are able to hand on crockery, pots, pans, office and other items for redistribution to students arriving for the new academic year in September. Last year more than one tonne of items were given a new lease of life through the scheme including a set of golf clubs and a wedding dress.

Barbara Aitken, Environment Officer at the University of St Andrews said: “The traditional end of term clear- out is a huge undertaking requiring careful planning and the involvement of many operational staff however in the same token it also provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to minimise waste, reuse and recycle their unwanted household goods.

“You literally need to see it to believe it. Feedback on the project is very positive and I am extremely proud of our student body and would like to thank them for making such a valuable contribution to both the local community and to their fellow students.”

Pat Mathewson, President University of St Andrews Students’ Association, said: “We are incredibly proud of the continued student leadership in sustainability, and grateful for the opportunity to not only support the local community but the next generation of St Andreans.”

Storehouse Manager Jane Saunders said: “Storehouse is the foodbank for St Andrews. It works because of dedicated volunteers, many of whom are students at the University of St Andrews. They work regularly throughout the year to make food available to those who need it in North East Fife.

“The end of term food collection from the halls of residence is a helpful boost to our food supply to sustain us through the summer months. I would like to say a massive thank you to all our volunteers, students and otherwise. We couldn’t run Storehouse without their time and effort.

“I just love how much our student volunteers dedicate to Storehouse. They are amazing!”

Frontline Fife CEO Caryn Nicolson said: “We continue to be encouraged by everyone’s commitment to recycling and the environment. By donating clothes and other goods, the university and its student body have not only made a difference to local communities but also to those in need”.

Area Business Retail Manager for Barnardo’s Scotland Ailsa Cane said: “With a dedicated bookshop and a general store on Bell Street, St Andrews, we welcome all donations from books to clothes to household goods. With the end of term upon us, students will be decluttering to move back home or go on their travels and we applaud St Andrews University’s drive to recycle and rehome what is no longer needed. By leaving these items in our shops, students can rest assured that they will find new homes all the while raising funds for the many services we provide for vulnerable children and young people in the area.”


Notes to news editors

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Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office, contactable on 01334 467310 or [email protected].


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