Donate your unwanted items to the 2025 Reuse Fair!

Posted 14 hours ago

It’s that time of year....

It’s that time of year again — some of you are packing up and heading off to exciting new adventures! But before you say goodbye, why not give your unwanted stuff a fresh start too?

Got random bits and bobs you’re not taking with you? We’d love for you to donate them to the Re-Use Fair — a student-powered project that gives pre-loved items a second life and helps others in the process.

Queen Mary Students’ Union and Residential Services are big fans of Re-Use — it saves students money and helps the planet by cutting down on waste, saving resources, and lowering carbon emissions. 🌍💚

See below for what we WILL and WON’T accept, how to store items, and where your nearest drop-off point is.

** All knives must be removed and handed over in a separate bag (e.g. sandwich bag or tied plastic bag etc.) or a secured container (such as a Tupperware box) - to prevent injury and ensure secure storage if handed over at the SU Hub. At Residential Services knives must be kept separate and put in the dedicated 'sharps' bin **

WE WILL ACCEPT:

  • Clean and washed bedding – duvets, sheets & pillows
  • Clean and washed towels
  • Clean crockery and kitchenware*
  • Other useful items (i.e. clothing hangers and electronics)
  • Toiletries (full and unopened bottles only)
  • Cleaning products
  • Books (not course books - fiction)

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT:

  • Items NOT properly stored in double bin bags, zipped bags, a bag for life, or a securable container.
  • Any food of any kind - please donate non-perishable food to the Bow Food Bank or to the SU Student Food Pantry.
  • Clothes and shoes – please donate to the British Heart Foundation bins on campus
  • Open and part-filled toiletries
  • Plastic wallets, ring binders
  • Knives or other sharps (place these in the sharps bin, or follow the process below to donate at the SU Hub Reception)
A list of items not accepted for collection as part of the Reuse Fair

Please donate any other items to residents staying longer, other charities where relevant, or dispose of these in the general waste bin.

Drop Off Locations and Times

Mile End Residents

1) QMSU hub reception - weekdays only

5th-30th May (10am-8pm)

2nd-6th June (10am-4pm)

2) Residences Reception, France House

Fri 16 – Mon 19 May

🕘 Fri & Mon: 9am–2pm

🕙 Sat & Sun: 10am–4pm

Fri 23 – Mon 26 May

🕘 Fri & Mon: 9am–2pm

🕙 Sat & Sun: 10am–4pm

Fri 30 May – Mon 2 June

🕘 Fri & Mon: 9am–2pm

🕙 Sat & Sun: 10am–4pm

Fri 6 – Sun 8 June

🕘 Fri: 9am–2pm

🕙 Sat & Sun: 10am–4pm

Dawson Hall Residents

Drop off your donations to staff at the collection point in the foyer:

Wed 21 May | 5–7pm

Mon 26 May | 5–7pm

Wed 28 May | 5–7pm

Wed 04 June | 5–7pm

Fri 06 June | 4–7pm

Floyer House Residents

Drop-offs run from 4–6pm in the foyer:

Tue 20 May

Mon 26 May

Wed 28 May

Tue 03 June

Fri 06 June

PLEASE NOTE:

If you are donating a sharp knife, the Students' Union Hub will be the ONLY location accepting knife donations for reuse:

** All knives must be removed and handed over in a separate bag (e.g. sandwich bag or tied plastic bag etc.) or a secured container (such as a Tupperware box) - to prevent injury and ensure secure storage if handed over at the SU Hub. At Residential Services knives must be kept separate and put in the dedicated 'sharps' bin **

If the drop off times are not convenient for you, please donate your unwanted items to the British Heart Foundation donation banks*, located between Beaumont Court and Creed Court, or between Maynard and Varey House, also at Sherren House and Blithehale Court, Bow Food Bank Boxes in the Zero Waste Shop and Village Shop or to the nearest charity shop. You may also consider donating any unopened and unused food items to the Queen Mary Students' Union Food Pantry for fellow students to use.

Any broken items or garbage must be disposed of in the recycling or general waste bins. Thank you. 

Find out more about how Queen Mary Students' Union is being green and more widely in Queen Mary follow Queen Mary Sustainability on Instagram to stay up to date with the latest green news and events.

If you have any questions please contact QMSU Hub reception at su-qmsu.reception@qmul.ac.uk or the Residences Reception using residences-reception@qmul.ac.uk.

*THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION WILL NOT ACCEPT:

  • Blankets
  • Carpets/Rugs
  • Cushions/Pillows
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Paper
  • Quilts
  • Rags
  • Rubbish
  • Videos