Case study: Giving Items a Second Life: Reuse Student & Staff Collaborations

In 2024, the University launched a student move-out reuse programme to collect unwanted but usable items from students leaving university accommodation. Initially delivered in partnership with Hazaar, the project collected 1,517 items, diverting 2,146 kg of waste from landfill. Of this, 1,195 kg was donated to local charities, and 112 students accessed affordable essentials through pop-up sales. The project also created paid opportunities for four student interns.

Building on this success, the University took over the project in 2025, expanding its reach. In summer 2025, over 2,500 items were collected, sorted by student interns, and redistributed to new students during Freshers' Week, in partnership with Accommodation Services and the Strathclyde Students’ Union (USSA). The initiative remains student-led, with six interns supporting its delivery. It continues to reduce waste, cut costs, and help ease the cost of living for incoming students.

Alongside this, the Hazaar app remains available to Strathclyde students and staff. The platform allows users to buy and sell items locally using designated campus drop-off points.

This commitment to reuse is also reflected in the University Library’s staff with their partnership with Better World Books (BWB). Withdrawn library stock such as superseded editions, out of date texts or damaged books) is donated to BWB, who resell books online. A portion of the profits supports global library and literacy initiatives, helping improve educational access worldwide. Books that cannot be resold are either donated to communities in need or recycled responsibly, ensuring that as few materials as possible end up in landfill.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) alignment

• SDG 4 (Quality Education)
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities)
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production)
• SDG 13 (Climate Action)
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)