Our Green Move Out initiative is back for its 22nd year – helping students donate unwanted items, reduce waste and support our local community.
At the end of each academic year, students moving out of University accommodation and private housing are encouraged to donate items they no longer need.
This can include anything from clothes and bedding to kitchenware and non-perishable food, among other items.
These donations support the County Durham Furniture Help Scheme (CDFHS), a charity that helps people in need across the region.
The scheme's purple bags are distributed across our colleges, purpose-built student accommodation and private student housing from early June.
Students simply fill the bags with their unwanted items and leave them in designated collection areas, outside their college bedrooms, or at one of four drop-off points in Durham.
Students living outside of University accommodation can also leave bags outside their door.
Making a difference
All donations are collected, sorted, and reused following circular economy principles.
Items support CDFHS projects including resettlement packs for refugees, starter kits for low-income families, and stock for local charity shops.
As well as contributing items, our students and staff are also encouraged to volunteer for the scheme by helping deliver bags or sort donations.
A growing green movement
Green Move Out began in 2005 as a small college project and now involves the wider Durham City community.
Over the last two decades, more than 200 tonnes of waste have been diverted from landfill through this initiative.
Green Move Out is supported by the University, Durham County Council, Durham Constabulary, the City of Durham Parish Council, and CDFHS.
