Moving out of your accommodation?
The University has a help-to-move-out campaign, offering a range of free services to support students move out of accommodation at the end of term 3. Please note that some of the services listed are only available to students living in private accommodation. The charities listed are only some options you can donate to in Exeter.
Students on the Move 2025 (private accommodation only).
Students on the Move (SOTM) is a waste collection scheme, paid for by the University. The scheme only collects things that you cannot recycle - i.e. anything that you might chuck away in a black bag that is non-recyclable rubbish. The scheme is only for students living in private accommodation close to our Exeter campuses.
Green envelopes containing special collection stickers and an information leaflet will soon be delivered to some student streets in Exeter. SOTM envelopes can also be collected from campus information points if you haven't already received one.
Envelopes also contain a fact-sheet describing options for those with items they wish to recycle or donate - like food, clothing and small items of furniture.
How the collection stickers work - 5 easy steps:
1. Decide which collection day (Monday or Friday) you wish to dispose of your non-recyclable waste. Remember - the only extra collection dates available are:
June: 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30
and July: 4, 7, 11
2. Email communityengagement@exeter.ac.uk with a collection request at least two days before your chosen collection day. The email title should contain the following information: The word rubbish, The first line of your address, The number of bags you need to dispose of (e.g. RUBBISH - 136 Culverland Road – 5 bags)
3. Place your waste outside by 7am on the day of collection – or as late as possible the evening before.
4. Place at least one visible sticker on your non-recyclable rubbish bags. You don’t need to put a sticker on every bag.
5. If your front garden is accessible and visible from the roadside, leave your bags there.
Bags WILL NOT be taken if:
1. They are torn open. We cannot collect loose/ spilled waste. Please double-bag your waste and leave bags out by 7am on the day of collection to reduce the likelihood of spillage.
2. More bags are placed out than requested. If you request disposal of two bags and three bags are left out – one will be left behind.
3. They contain food or recycling. If bags do contain these items they will not be taken. Please view the leaflet inside this envelope for other recycling options.
4. Stickers are used by landlords/builders, etc. This is a student-only waste collection service.
If you have any questions about the Students on the Move scheme, please email: communityengagement@exeter.ac.uk
Gift it, Reuse it
Gift it, Reuse it (GiRi shop) on campus Donate any unwanted kitchen/household items for other students to collect for free on campus. They accept kitchen crockery, utensils and cutlery, pots and pans, small electricals and study bedroom items that are in good condition. Keep an eye on the Sustainability Instagram page for details about opening times.
Please note: The team would be delighted to accept your donations to help other students, but please remember that all donations must be clean, and no duvets, pillows or sharp knives can be accepted.
Warp It - reuse network
An online student marketplace for free stuff. Got stuff you know you won’t want at the end of the year? Upload it to Warp It in advance of your moving out date so other students can claim it for free. You can also browse items uploaded by other students.
Charity donations with the British Heart Foundation (BHF)
Fill a clear see-through bag with good quality unwanted clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, books, computer games, CDs, DVDs, electrical items, crockery, cookware and homeware. Then take the bags to one of many drop off points in the city. Students living off-campus are not permitted to use on-campus BHF collection points. Please drop items in-store or call if you require items to be collected. More information can be found here.
Coat donation to charity CoLab
Donate any unwanted/no longer needed coats to CoLab Exeter (EX4 6PD) Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Items must be bagged when they’re dropped off.
Donate to Turntable
Turntable are a charity that recycles household goods for people in need. They can collect your kitchen utensils, pots, pans and appliances such as toasters, microwaves, lamps and furniture for free. Please note that Turntable have an oversupply of duvets and bed linen and cannot collect these. Donated items will be passed on to families and individuals living in Exeter that are on low incomes. Click to book a collection or phone 01392 202032 for more details. Please give as much notice as possible (at least one week). Items can also be dropped off Mon-Fri 8am-1pm at their Swan Yard EX4 1DS depot but all items must be clean.
Have you got glass? (private accommodation only)
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. Please visit exeter.gov.uk/ recyclingbanks for all of the glass banks around Exeter.
Food donation
Have you got excess/unwanted food in your cupboard that you no longer want or wish to travel back home with? You could donate items to the new Community Fridge at the Library on Streatham Campus – open 24 hours. They do accept: sealed packed foods, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, table sauces, pastry, unopened pasteurised milk and yoghurt, unopened fruit juices, salads and eggs. They don’t accept: cooked food from home, bean sprouts, cooked rice, raw milk cheeses, unpasteurised milk, patés, products that contain any of the above ingredients, unlabeled multiple ingredient products. For more information about the Community Fridge please go to: foodsave.org.uk
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 Pinbrook Road Recycling Centre, Pinhoe, EX4 8HU 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 advice?
Visit the council’s bins and recycling website for more information. Students returning in September can also find their collection times for next year here: exeter.gov.uk/bincollections. For any other questions about the Students on the Move scheme email communityengagement@exeter.ac.uk