Have you ever reached the end of term and realised you still have kitchen items you no longer really use, but never quite got around to dealing with? Pots, cutlery, plates and similar items often end up sitting in cupboards or storage simply because there is no easy system for passing them on, even when they are still in good condition and could continue to be useful. To make this easier, the Students’ Union are introducing Community Cupboard donation bins across campus over the next few weeks. You’ll find them at Whitelands Nest, Library Nest, The Hive Café, the SU Helpdesk, and Southlands Reef, meaning they are easy to come across during your daily routine without needing to make a special trip. 

Here's what they look like!

The idea is simple: if you have something you no longer need, you can leave it in one of our donations bins so it can be passed on to another student who does.

As long as the items are still in good condition we are accepting kitchen and everyday essentials such as:

• Pots
• Pans
• Utensils
• Cutlery
• Crockery

Clothing and food items will not be accepted, and any additional donations - not listed above - can also be dropped directly at the RSU Building. 

When donating items, please place them in the bins carefully. If you’re donating something fragile, we recommend wrapping it to help protect it during collection and storage. Before adding your donation, take a quick look inside the bin to make sure items aren’t being stacked in a way that could cause damage. We want every donation to reach another student in good condition, so a little extra care goes a long way.

From there, the process is straightforward. Items that might otherwise sit unused or be thrown away are instead kept in circulation within the student community, while students moving into new accommodation gain easier access to the basics they need without the pressure of buying everything from scratch. Looking at it more broadly, there are two key benefits: It helps reduce unnecessary waste and lowers the amount of usable items ending up in landfill, while also making it easier for students to access affordable essentials when they need them most. 

And this is where you come in. Every item you donate could be exactly what another student needs to settle into their new space. Before you pack everything away or throw things out at the end of term, take a moment to drop them into a Community Cupboard bin. Small actions like this don’t just clear space, they make a real difference in reducing waste and supporting fellow students in a simple, practical way!