As the academic year draws to a close, students preparing to move out are being offered a range of ways to responsibly dispose of unwanted items.
Liverpool City Council has again partnered with the University of Liverpool’s Guild of Students and Liverpool John Moores University Students’ Union to relaunch the annual Leave Liverpool Tidy campaign.
Following last year’s successful pilot, the dedicated recycling container will return to Webster Road in Wavertree, providing a convenient drop‑off point for clothing, electricals, furniture and books.
Volunteers will staff the container during opening hours to ensure donations are handled safely. Items must not be left outside these times.
The container will be open on:
- Thursday 28 May, 11-1pm
- Tuesday 2 June, 11-1pm
- Thursday 18 June, 11-1pm
- Monday 22 June. 11-1pm
- Thursday 25 June, 11-4pm
- Friday 26 June, 11-4pm
- Monday 29 June, 11-4pm
- Tuesday 30 June, 11-4pm
Additional Guild of Students drop‑off points will operate at Asda on Smithdown Road and Kenny Fields on 29 and 30 June from 10am-3pm.
Where possible, donated goods will be passed on to the British Heart Foundation and the Salvation Army, while unopened food will be distributed to FareShare Merseyside.
To support those with bulky items or limited transport, the Council has introduced a new collection service.
Operating throughout the week, it mirrors the free bulky‑waste service but is tailored to the student move‑out period.
Students can request a collection by emailing environmentalservices@liverpool.gov.uk, and staff will be in touch to arrange a suitable time.
Community skips will also be placed in areas with high student populations, with advance notice provided to residents. Extra bin collections and street cleansing will run during the peak period to manage any remaining waste.
Between May and July, thousands of students leave halls and shared housing across the city. Leave Liverpool Tidy aims to reduce waste, promote reuse and encourage students to donate items they no longer need.
Last year’s campaign diverted 12 tonnes from general waste streams, the equivalent of two African male elephants, through 1,494 donated bags and 2,166 meals, raising more than £17,000 for charity.
All events will be listed on the Leave Liverpool Tidy webpage. Donations should only be made through official channels and not left in communal bins.
Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene said: “Every year we’re delighted by the enthusiasm and support the Leave Liverpool Tidy campaign receives from university students.
“Moving out can be a hectic time, and we know it often comes with a big clear‑out. That puts real pressure on our waste services over the summer, so anything that helps reduce what ends up on the streets makes a huge difference for the whole community.
“It’s great to see how well the container worked last year, and we’re really pleased to bring it back, along with a new collection service for anyone who might struggle to get items to a drop‑off point.
“This is a huge team effort across the city, and I want to say a big thank you to everyone involved for helping us keep Liverpool clean during the busy move‑out period.”
Holly Thompson, Deputy President of Liverpool Guild of Students said: “The renewed provision of a storage container by the council will help to continue the success of last year’s Leave Liverpool Tidy campaign. It has been great to see how the Guild’s project has developed and expanded since its launch in 2012 and with the integration of the British Heart Foundation.”
“It’s been a great opportunity to work with a range of community groups across Merseyside and the project is a brilliant example of teams working together across Liverpool Universities, students’ unions, and Council. We hope that this sustainable initiative continues to reduce waste across the city.”
President of Liverpool John Moores Students Union, Miles Craven said: “Leave Liverpool Tidy has the ability to have a significant impact within the community for students and further residents within the city region.
“Students having the ability to dispose of clothes, bedding or furniture in an efficient way which benefits other people in the future highlights the positive effect which students can have in the wider community! LLT is a great initiative all round.”
