Bristol Big Give is back for its fifth year collecting charity donations of reusable goods across the city to raise funds for British Heart Foundation. The annual campaign is organised by students and sustainability teams at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), UWE Students’ Union, University of Bristol, University of Bristol Students’ Union, together with Bristol Waste Company.

Targeting the city’s 50,000 students at the end of the summer term, the aim is to rescue unwanted items before they end up in landfill and raise funds for charity at the same time.

Ashleigh Gale, BA Events Management Student at UWE Bristol said:

“I think the Bristol Big Give is not only an amazing opportunity for students to give back to the local community, but it also promotes a more sustainable approach to living by donating unwanted items which would otherwise been thrown away! This is definitely something that all students should be involved in as it benefits a range of fantastic causes as well as the environment.”

Last year more than 200 tonnes of reusable goods were collected, which could raise up to £358,960 and in the last five years more than a million pounds worth of donations have been collected.

Paul Roberts, Head of Environment and Sustainability at UWE Bristol, said:

“It is wonderful to see this fantastic multi-agency partnership go from strength to strength, helping students manage their unwanted belongings responsibly and sustainably. Each year we divert more material to local charity shops, saving it from going to waste or littering the streets.

The scheme continues to have a positive effect on end-of-term fly tipping and unsightly waste and helps build good relationships between neighbours in parts of the city with a high student population."

Ellen McKee, MA Environmental Policy and Management student at University of Bristol said:

“Participating in the Big Give is a win-win situation; it is an easy way to donate unwanted items when clearing your room and it raises vital funds for Bristol charities.”

Rose Rooney, Sustainability Manager at the University of Bristol, said:

“The Bristol Big Give is an essential part of how we manage student waste citywide at the end of term. It offers students a valuable opportunity to have a positive impact on their local environment, save resources and help a multitude of local charities.”

31 British Heart Foundation donation banks have been set up on campuses and around the city to collect donations.