Community issues

Excessive noise can have a huge impact on your community. The two main types of excessive noise are 'street noise' (often late at night) and domestic noise (from your house or flat).

Street Noise:

Please be aware that your walking route at night might take you through residential areas where there are families with children or early morning work commitments. Shouting/chanting can have a hugely detremental impact on those trying to sleep.

Noise from your House or Flat:

If you are a first year student living in University managed accommodation, there will already be clear rules on noise and parties. We would always advise that you speak with Residence Life advisors if you have any queries or concerns about noise in University accommodation.

House/Flat parties:

If you are living in a privately rented house/flat and you are planning a social gathering likely to generate more noise than usual (even pre-drinks) our first recommendation is to connect with your neighbours as soon as possible. Students who are on first name terms with their neighbours are significantly less likely to get into trouble with the University, City Council or the Police

Please also note:

• If you decide to have a party consult all your neighbours (not just the immediate ones) 2-3 days before – agree a mutual time to finish and stick to it.
• Consider sharing a contact number with your neighbours – if noise levels get too high they can tell you.
• Keep the bass-levels down on your sound systems.
• Consider the position of stereos and televisions (not next to walls)
• Closing all windows and doors will stop noise from carrying.
• When leaving and entering the property ask guests to keep voices down
• Keep an eye on numbers of guests. If numbers get too high noise may become unmanageable.
• Advertising a party for ‘anyone’ to attend (especially online) is not advised – you may find that you have unwelcome guests who could cause disruption and become difficult to get rid of.
• When walking home from a pub or club your neighbours will usually be asleep. It is important to be quiet and to realise that even general chatter can be disruptive, especially in narrow streets.
• Remember that you are not only responsible for your own noise, but the noise created by guests visiting your property.
• Remember that noise not only effects local residents, but many students as well. Noise disruption can cause serious problems for students with study deadlines.
• It is important to note that extreme or persistent noise will be perceived as anti-social behaviour and will be dealt with seriously buy the University.
• Noise incidents could, in extreme circumstances, lead the City Council’s Environmental Health Department taking legal action. Such action could lead to the confiscation of sound equipment or even a criminal record.

For more information about socialising safely and responsibly, please view the Student Community Guide

General Advice:

Taking pride in the visual appearance of your house and garden is an important way to convey respect for your local area. We understand that the rules relating to rubbish collection and recycling can change greatly from region to region (as well as from country to country) – so we appreciate that some students will find it easier to follow the rules and guidelines for Exeter. If in doubt, we recommend contacting Exeter City Council’s Cleansing Services on 01392 265010.

Some basic rules to follow include:

• If you live in private accommodation and are unsure which day your rubbish and recycling is collected - we recommend that you download the iExeter App and check the 'bin' icon. You can add your postcode and receive all the relevant details for your address.
• Please note that rubbish left out too early (particularly in black bags) could be torn apart (often by birds/vermin etc) and scattered across wide areas. This can become even more unsightly than bagged-up rubbish and can cause particular upset to permanent local residents.
• It is important to remember that rubbish for collection should be left out no later than 6am on the morning of collection and no earlier than 6pm the previous evening. If rubbish is left out for longer than this period fines can be issued by the City Council.
• Do not overfill your bins. The council will not collect bins with lids that do not fully close. They will also not collect extra side waste.
• The council will not take extra 'grey' (non-recyclable) waste, but they will collect an unlimited amount of recycling. If you have extra recycling, simply bagged it up and label it 'extra recycling', with the first line of your address. As long as each bag is correctly labelled, the council will collect it.
• Students are reminded that glass cannot be placed in your recycling bin. If non-recyclable rubbish (including glass) is placed in your recycling bin it will be marked as ‘contaminated’ and not taken. Glass must be taken to separate recycling points. Most major supermarkets have recycling points and there are many public recycling points throughout the city.
• Students are advised to be careful about the disposal of personal/confidential paperwork within their domestic rubbish off-campus. If personal documentation (including bank statements, receipts etc) is not disposed of properly you run the risk of identity theft.

What Goes in General Waste?

• All non-recyclable waste, including food as well, can go into the black general waste bin
• Even though there is no glass recycling bin, glass cannot go into general waste and should be taken to one of the many glass recycling banks local to you and elsewhere in the City.

What do I do with my General Waste?

General Waste is collected once every two weeks: It alternates with the recycling bin's collection date.

Your area's collection date can be found out through: 

• Talking to neighbours: this is a good icebreaker when moving in
• The 'Bin Days' section on the iExeter app: The app will log your postcode and the details for each bin's collection day
• The Council Website: You can even subscribe to the Council's 'Bin Reminder Service'

General Waste bins can only be put out after 6pm on the evening before collection. Your house could receive a fine if it is left out too early!

General Waste bins must be taken in on the general waste collection day after collection. Bins left on the street for too long can be a health and safety hazard!

Your waste will not be collected if:

• The general waste bin is overflowing- the bin lid must close
• Glass is found in the general waste bin. Again please use one of the City councils glass banks to recycle your glass
• It is left in bags besides the general waste bin- these bags will not be collected

What do I do If:

My Bin is Overflowing?

• Double-Check which items in general waste can be recycled
• If there are large or bulky articles that are filling up bins (or are unable to fit into bins), contact the Council:
  • The Council operate a Bulky Waste Collection service
  • This service must be booked in advance using an online form
  • These services are charged, and are non-refundable
  • You CAN reschedule the service if you or your house are displaying Covid-19 symptoms
• If your bin has been missed, contact the Council by filling out a form on their website under ‘Bins and Recycling’ > ‘Report a Missed Bin’
  • This must be done by the end of the next working day

I Cannot Physically Take Out My Waste?

• The Council have an ‘Assisted Waste Collection’ service which can be applied for on their website
• To use the service, you will need evidence that you or anyone else in your household cannot physically take out your waste on collection days
• Note: This service is NOT available for residents using communal bin stores

My Bin Has Been Stolen or Has Gone Missing?

• You can fill out a form on the Council’s Website, or call 01392 277888 and ask for ‘Bin Collection Services’
• These bins may take a few weeks to arrive, but can be traced on the Council’s Website
• Unfortunately, the Council currently charges for new bin replacements. To avoid this, make sure:
  • Waste bins are taken in on the day that general waste has been collected
  • Bins are labelled with your house number (this can be done with tape or marker pen)

Recycling:

• To find your recycling collection dates, go on the ‘Bins’ tile of the iExeter app and input your postcode. It will show you when your green bin is next due to be collected. Bins should be put out after 6pm the evening before collection and taken back in as soon as possible once they have been emptied.
• Things that can be put out for recycling in your green bin include: empty cans, bottles, tins, aerosols and plastic food containers; foil; puree tubes; plastic wrap and film, including carrier bags; newspapers and magazines; cardboard; envelopes.
• Where an item has a lid (e.g. milk bottles) leave it on.
• Where an item is made from more than one recyclable material (e.g. an envelope with a plastic window) separate the component parts and recycle separately.
• Recycling should not be bagged inside the bin - it can all go in loose.
• Glass cannot be recycled with mixed recycling, it needs to be taken to a glass bottle bank. Where an item has a lid (e.g. wine bottles) leave it on.
• Food cannot be put in recycling bins, all recyclable food containers must be empty and clean.
• Overflowing recycling bins will not be collected even if they are left out. If you cannot fit all of your recycling in your bin with the lid closed, place the excess in bin bags and tie them up. These bags should be labelled with “extra recycling” and the first line of your address and placed next to your recycling bin to be collected.
• If you have followed these steps and your bin has not been collected, it needs to be reported on the council’s website by the end of the next working day so that an extra collection can be arranged.

Food Waste

Reduce –

Try to reduce the amount of food waste you will have at the end of term by planning your meals, freezing leftovers, and getting your portion sizes right. Perhaps host a ‘potluck’ evening with your flatmates, or challenge yourself to make a menu out of ingredients you already have.

Re-use -

If you have any in-date, non-perishable foods consider donating to your local food banks. Locations and food donation priority lists can be found on the Exeter Food Bank website. 

Alternatively, keep an eye on the soup kitchens that are listed on Nextmeal.co.uk for Exeter, to see if they are taking donations.

Recycle -

Remember to recycle any food containers that you are able to. Please note that any glassware will need to go to your local foodbank, not your recycling bin

Ensure that your bin lids close when you put them out for collection, the council will not take your bins if the lids don’t close!

If you have access to seagull proof bags, make use of them- especially when you are disposing of any food waste.

At the moment, Exeter City Council does not provide food collections. If you cannot Reduce, reuse or recycle then food must go into the grey (rubbish bin) not the green bin.  

Glass

• Glass will NOT be collected with your weekly bin collection
• Glass can be recycled at one of the recycling banks around Exeter
• BROKEN glass can be double wrapped and put in your grey bin
• Glass jars and bottles must be taken to a recycling bank
• It’s best to try and keep on top of your glass recycling throughout the year to prevent build up – maybe ask one of your housemates once a week to carry the week’s glass to the nearest bank
• If you do end up with quite a lot of glass don’t be overwhelmed! If you have a car, load it up and drive down to the bottle bank. If not, bag up the glass and divide it between all of your housemates and take a short walk to the bottle bank together
• TOP TIP: Do your glass recycling at the same time as your weekly shop – most supermarkets have glass recycling facilities 

Glass recycling banks in Exeter can be found at the following locations on the Council website.

Some other ways you can dispose of extra waste and recycling:

EXTRA WEEKLY RECYCLING:

Did you know that you can dispose of an unlimited amount of recycling on recycling day? As long as the material is bagged up and labelled ‘Extra Recycling’ – with the first line of your address, the council will take it. If you would like some large heavy duty recycling bags, let the Community Engagement Team know – and they will deliver some to you (communityengagement@exeter.ac.uk)

BOTTLE BANKS:

Get into the habit of taking your empty bottles and glass jars to your nearest recycling banks. The closest banks to Streatham Campus are Prince of Wales Road, Old Tiverton Road and Howell Road car park. Visit www.exeter.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/recycling/recycling-banks-in-exeter/ to view all of the glass banks around Exeter.

RECYCLING CENTRE:

Last-minute general waste or large items can also be taken direct to the Exton Road Recycling Centre, Exeter EX2 8LX in Marsh Barton or phone 0345 155 1010 for more information. Please note that you cannot bring grey (non-recyclable) waste to the recycling centre without calling them in advance.

NEED FURTHER HELP OR ADVICE?

Visit the council’s bins and recycling website for more information. www.exeter.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/

For general enquiries about moving out at Christmas, please email:

communityengagement@exeter.ac.uk

The University's Community Engagement Team have been working with communities for over fifteen years and one of our most consistent observations is that students who get on first name terms with their neighbours are considerably less likely to receive noise complaints.

Getting to know your neighbours and getting on first name terms will also allow you to explore their work/life pressures. This knowledge can help you better plan when you socialise and which parts of your property better contain noise.

Useful information that neighbour's may wish to share:

• Do they have children? What time do they go to bed?
• When to they work? Do they work from home?
• Are any of your communal areas adjacent to neighbour's bedrooms?

Don't forget:

• The people who live behind you are also your neighbours.
• If you live in flats, the people above and below your neighbours too
• Always consult your neighbours well in advance of any planned parties, even if you have already made an introduction. They will need to be consulted in advance of any gathering likely to be noisier than normal.
• Your fellow students are your neighbours too and they are just as likely to make a noise complaint if they are not consulted.

If you would like any tips on how to improve your relationship with neighbours, or if you have any concerns about neighbourly disputes, please contact us via email communityengagement@exeter.ac.uk 

Finding parking spaces around our Exeter campuses is a particular challenge and large sections of the city operate a residents’ parking zone scheme. We strongly advise you not to bring a car. You can find out more about sustainable travel to our campuses on these webpages. Students living in a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) are only permitted to have two permits, so being clear about which housemates bring a car to Exeter will be very important before you move in.

Parking Permit Fraud

Please note that it is illegal to purchase an extra permit from another household, even if they aren't using it. Permits can only be used at the address they are issued to. If you make an enquiry with a neigbour and they report you to Devon Highways, a fraud investigation would occur.

Visit our Car Parking web pages.

Also see: Full parking regulations.

Advice is available from the Main Reception on 01392 72 5678.

Volunteering can be a hugely rewarding way to connect with people in your community. Volunteering can also help you to showcase your skills and expertise, and develop new ones!

Exeter Student Volunteers (ESV) can help to connect you with a range of long established volunteering projects, as well as some positive ‘one-off’ opportunities. Our Community Engagement Officers can also help to connect students with other one-off opportunities happening locally, from community gardening to litter picking.

Please see a selection of key volunteering events for term two below.

For more details on the below events please visit Exeter Student Volunteers

• Monday Feb 5: World Cancer Day Head Shave with Cancer Research UK – Forum Building
• Monday Feb 12: Valentines Roses and Chocolates with British Heart Foundation – Forum Building
• Friday Feb 23: Come to talk event with Samaritans
• Saturday Feb 24: LiveAid with British Red Cross – The Monkey Suit
• Thursday Mar 8: International Woman’s Day Event
• Tuesday Mar 12: Event with Marie Curie
• Tuesday Mar 19: Volunteering, Charity, & Causes Societies Spring Gala Dinner

Keeping your garden/property frontage clear and tidy will send a clear message of respect to your local community.

The 'visual amenity' of neighbourhoods is a really important issue for local people who live long-term in the city. A community that is clean and well maintained can even have a positive impact on crime.

We understand that Landlords are under no obligation to provide gardening tools, but even basic weeding and keeping bins/waste bags neatly stored away can make a huge difference.

Please remember that bins should never be stored on public pavements. Bins can actually be confiscated if left outside for long periods and charges will be made to replace them.

Do you have an idea for a gardening project?

The Community Engagement Team may be able to help you source tools or even secure project funding. Please contact us to find out more: communityengagement@ex.ac.uk