What if moving into university wasn’t as expensive as you thought it would be? What if you already had access to all your essential items, not only for a fraction of the price, but also with the added benefit of environmental sustainability, reducing your very own carbon footprint? This year, we hosted our annual Reuse Fair on September 13th and 14th giving second life to hundreds of pre-loved items, all while reducing waste.
What if moving into university wasn’t as expensive as you thought it would be? What if you already had access to all your essential items, not only for a fraction of the price, but also with the added benefit of environmental sustainability, reducing your very own carbon footprint? This year, we hosted our annual Reuse Fair on September 13th and 14th at The Nest — our very own hub for the student community — giving second life to hundreds of pre-loved items, all while reducing waste.
What made this year’s fair especially meaningful was seeing the success and turnout of donations and attendees. At the end of last year, many students in accommodation donated their unwanted belongings rather than throwing them away. These donated items were carefully collected and organised for the Reuse Fair by our amazing team and volunteers — ensuring that students had access to safe and clean items. By bringing students together through a shared sense of community action, the fair turned the simple act of donation into a very powerful and crucial step towards creating viable, sustainable action.
The response on both days was exceptional, with students exchanging tokens for everything from cosy bedding to practical household items. The sustainability impact was equally impressive. By reusing and redistributing donated items, the fair saved around one tonne of items from going to the landfill, reaching more than 400 students in total. It’s proof that reuse isn’t just about being affordable; it’s essential for reducing waste and cutting emissions.
The Reuse Fair was also critical in supporting the university’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. This goal calls for reducing waste but also improving resource efficiency and more practical sustainable consumption within the university. The Reuse Fair directly supported the university’s environmental ambitions under Strategy 2030, whilst simultaneously creating an atmosphere of tangible collective student action.
Students praised the fair as an effectively affordable and sustainable start to their university life. One student shared, “There were so many things I didn’t realise that I needed to bring, and I’m sure I’ll have to donate things once I leave too.” This year's Reuse Fair proved to be more than just passing on items; it effectively encouraged students to donate in the future, too, creating an important step towards promoting community-led action.
A huge thank you goes out to the staff, volunteers, and students whose donations made the fair possible. Their combined effort turned the event into more than just a swap: it became a focal point for sustainability in action at Queen Mary.
This is just the start. The next opportunity to get hands-on with sustainability will be the Big Canal Clean on October 29th, from 12:30–2:30 p.m. Join us as we come together again to protect our local environment and continue building a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable campus.
Sign up here!
Find out more about how you can get involved in sustainability at Queen Mary. Every small step counts — and together, we’re making a real pact.
Missed out on donating? Here are some amazing reuse fair alternatives which you can find out about HERE.