Give big to the Bristol Big Give 2019!

By Shona Murray, MSc Wildlife Health and Conservation

With the end of term fast approaching, it is almost time for thousands of students to start packing up their rooms to head home for the summer vacation. The Bristol Big Give is a fantastic opportunity for students to donate their unwanted items to a great cause, preventing tonnes of goods from going into landfill.

The Bristol Big Give is an annual city-wide campaign organised by a partnership between UoB, UWE, Bristol City Council and Bristol Waste Company, with donations going to the British Heart Foundation and other local charities. Big Give donation points have now been set up in residential halls and across the city, and will be available until the end of July.

Epigram / Shona Murray

Why give to the Big Give?

Donating to the Big Give is a win-win situation. Not only does it prevent perfectly reusable items from ending up in landfill, it also raises vital funds and resources for national and local charities. Donations from last year’s campaign have the potential to raise over £350,000, with students donating 205 tonnes of reusable goods. With ‘Giving’ being a step of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing pathway, the Big Give is the perfect opportunity to contribute to charity whilst promoting your own wellbeing. The Big Give also prevents the need for students to create a mountain of rubbish for landfill when they move out, which is especially important given the council’s recent clampdown on waste and the introduction of fines for excess bin bags left outside houses.

Student Sustainability Officer Ellen McKee is leading this year’s campaign at the University: “we’re so excited about making the 2019 campaign bigger and better than ever! We especially want to target students living in private accommodation, as we understand that donating may seem to be more of an effort than for those living in residential halls, even if this really isn’t the case.”!

How can you donate?

You can donate all sorts of items, including clothing, shows, bags, books, stationery, kitchen items, electrical items, homeware and sports equipment. However, the campaign does not accept duvets. This year, UoB has also partnered up with the Food Bank Society to accept donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries for those most in need.

There are 21 donation points across the University, to make it as easy as possible for students to donate. There are two large metal banks located in The Hawthorns car park, and on Tyndall Avenue outside of the Arts and Social Sciences Library, as well as internal donation points within halls of residences.

Epigram / Shona Murray

Thank you!

The Big Give campaign truly wouldn’t be possible without the help and kindness of thousands of students across the city. To find your nearest donation point, keep updated with the campaign or ask any questions, check out the Bristol Big Give Facebook page.

Featured image: Epigram / Jamie Corbin