Re:Use Project 2008
Every year as students graduate and leave the university, there is a rush to clear out their belongings from their accommodation. Although they usually take the majority home with them there are often a number of items that are no longer needed and these frequently end up in a skip or thrown out with the rubbish. This is a hugely wasteful and unnecessary contribution to landfill, and this year QMU have initiated the Re:Use Project to help reduce this.
The Re:Use project is a joint initiative between the Estates and Facilities Department and the Students Union, and aims not only to reduce landfill, but also to provide an opportunity for new students to purchase the things they need at rock bottom prices. This will cover the cost of cleaning everything and publicising the project, and is only to be used for that purpose.
How does it work?
From the end of April, bags or boxes with labels will be supplied, both to the Halls of Residence, and from the Students Union office for anyone living off-campus.
The labels show what to put in each bag. (see below)
Glass
Crockery (Mugs, Plates etc.)
Fragile Items |
Kitchen Utensils
Pots & Pans
Unopened bottles, tins and packets |
Towels
Bed Linen
Clothing
(All clean please) |
Electrical items
Bric a brac
Miscellaneous
Books |
The bags or boxes are collected by the Re:Use team of volunteers, from the departing student's address ( in the Edinburgh area) by van, and from the reception area in Block A in the halls of residence. The accumulated contents are sorted and cleaned, before being segregated into types of item, transferred to labelled boxes, weighed and stored for the summer.
Shortly before the first students arrive at the student village accommodation, the boxes will be opened, goods priced according to their condition, and displayed in the Re:Use Shop in room 66. The aim is not to make a profit, but to divert stuff from landfill, so the cost of individual items will be kept as low as possible just to cover the project expenses.
The Book Shop
Secondhand books, both academic and non-academic will be sold, which will hopefully allow students to access at least some of their course reading materials at rock bottom prices, and find some light reading materials as well. If you wish to sell your books on through the Re:Use bookshop, speak to Michaela Woodhouse in the Students Union
Volunteers
Re:Use is a very worthwhile project and volunteers to help are always needed. If you volunteer you can show evidence for skills such as teamwork, customer interface, promotions, cash handling, and also display environmental citizenship and social responsibility. These all look good on your CV. If you are interested contact the Students Union.
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