Students reduce waste and help raise more than £23,000 for #PackForGood

The incredible total of 1,543 bags of items equates to £23,010 and 12,272kg - collected throughout 2024.  

A “pre-loved, re-loved” initiative, the Moving Out campaign was first introduced by the University’s Community Liaison Manager and Sustainability team to link different members of the community under a shared goal of reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, by redirecting items with life left in them to the British Heart Foundation and West Cheshire Food Bank. 

Saving clothes, crockery, small electrical equipment, food and other household items, the Chester student community were able to minimise disposals going to landfill, reduce carbon emissions and conserve natural resources. Students were also able to help others in the wider community to save money and access resources they may not otherwise be able to. During its busiest period in May-June, students moving out of accommodation across Chester donated 190 food and toiletry items (which weighed 54kg and cost an estimated £212) for West Cheshire Food Bank, and 373 bags (equating to £5,595) to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). 

Every contribution made has been gratefully received by West Cheshire Food Bank or the BHF and will be distributed to those most in need and/or will help to raise funds for the delivery of BHFs support and research. 

Aleks, BHF University Account Executive, said: “We’re always on the lookout for more donations and we take pride in the environmental good our shops and stores do through the reuse of donations from the public. 

“We have been delighted with the response from the University of Chester students and their incredible support. Our shops rely on donations to continue raising money to fund lifesaving research. Thanks to the generous donations from the students and staff we have been able to help our shops in Chester. If other universities or businesses would like to work with BHF shops and provide valuable collection facilities, please do get in touch by emailing packforgood@bhf.org.uk.” 

Amy Butt, Sustainability Engagement Coordinator at the University of Chester said: “This is a fantastic achievement by our students and staff the donations not only help people and charities in our local community, but contributes towards our goal of reducing the amount of waste produced in the first place and enabling good quality items to be reused for longer rather than being recycled or disposed of via general waste collections.”