STUDENTS are being urged to recycle their old stuff as they leave their homes.

Thousands of students at Durham University will be moving out of the city this week as the academic year comes to an end.

The university is encouraging its students to take part in the Green Move Out scheme, to reduce the amount of rubbish thrown out, while extra bin collections will also be put on to try and stop it piling up outside houses.

The scheme was introduced in 2005 as a way of reducing the impact on communities during the mass exodus of students each June, which has often led to large amounts of waste left on the streets of Durham.

Since then, more than 126 tonnes of re-usable items, worth more than £14,000, have been donated to charity.

Last year, 2,650 bags were collected from students living in colleges alone, containing clothes, shoes, bedding, electrical items, pots and pans, crockery, books and non-perishable food.

Pro-vice chancellor Owen Adams said: “Durham University is committed to reducing its environmental impact and every year our students take full advantage of the Green Move Out scheme.

“It’s a brilliantly simple and effective way of raising awareness, reducing waste and encouraging reuse. We’re also delighted that our local community partners can benefit from the items donated.”

The scheme is a partnership project involving Durham University, Durham County Council, Durham Constabulary and the County Durham Furniture Help Scheme (CDFHS).

Purple collection bags and leaflets have been delivered to students, while the council is putting on extra bin collections and street cleaning.

Councillor Brian Stephens said: “Every summer thousands of students move out of, or between, properties in Durham City and we want to ensure that as much as possible is reused and recycled. Green Move Out is a very positive initiative which will help to ensure that happens and that waste is kept to a minimum.”

Steven Mitton, chief executive of CDFHS, said: “Green Move Out benefits the city and its residents by helping to keep the streets clean and ensure that perfectly re-usable goods find a good home.

“Our team will be happy to collect any donations which are placed outside properties in the scheme’s distinctive purple bags.”

Residents can also arrange to have bulky items collected free of charge by calling CDFHS on 01388 721509.