The Don’t Ditch It, Donate It project is back! Each year, between June and September, donation points are set up all around campus for students to donate their unwanted household items when moving out of campus accommodation. The project offers a live example of a circular economy, ensuring that items such as clothes, homeware, kitchenware, books and more are reused within the local community instead of ending up in landfills.

An average of 45 tonnes of donations are redirected and redistributed to local charities such as SafeNet, Scoliosis Support, or Skerton Food Club. Last year the British Heart Foundation collected over 6,300kg of clothing items to sell in their charity shops, assisting in raising money for scientific research linked to heart and cardiovascular disease.

In addition to local and national charities, we also partner with local businesses such as Relic Plastic, an upcycling initiative that turns plastic into new objects such as plant pots, soap dishes, coasters and more.

Finally, a portion of items donated over the summer is saved for our ECOShop at the start of the Michaelmas Term, where students can buy anything they need as they prepare for a new year at Lancaster. The ECOShop ensures the building of a circular economy right here on campus, where one student's items are reused by another student the following year. Money generated from the ECOShop goes straight back into the Don’t Ditch It project.

The Don’t Ditch It project is also a fantastic opportunity for students to gain valuable work experience and be part of a dynamic team striving to make a valuable change. This year, Green Lancaster appointed a team of sixteen students to run the project, including four supervisors who are responsible for managing the project, and twelve team members, who help with operational tasks such as collecting and sorting donations.

So, what can you do? Get involved by donating! From NOW until mid-September, our five donation points on Northwest Drive, Furness Avenue, Pendle Avenue, and Alexandra Park Boulevard will be open 24/7. Find your closest one. There are also donation crates available at Chancellor’s Wharf.

Here are some quick tips on how to donate:

1. Check what items we can and cannot accept
2. Find your nearest donation point
3. Clean items before donating
4. Put items in a bag, box, or other containers – there are bags in all donations points if needed
5. Drop off bagged items in hypercages at the donation – please only donate what can be accepted

Please make sure you are familiar with the items that we can and cannot accept.

We can accept:

• Clothing
• Bedding
• Kitchenware
• Sealed non-perishable food, packets or tins
• Books
• Stationery
• Electrical items
• Household items such as coat hangers or décor

We cannot accept:

• Open food packets
• Open bathroom products
• Items in poor condition
• General waste
• Recyclable waste

Thank you in advance to everyone who will donate this summer, see you at the ECOShop at the start of Michaelmas Term 2022!