Meet our latest Wow Winner...
This month we're celebrating Warwick's fantastic Energy and Sustainability team. Their Warwick Wow Award recognises the Donation Drive initiative and its hugely positive impact on the environment, economy, and local community.
Want to say well done? Log in to congratulate our winning colleagues in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Donation Drive and Kitchen Kit Market
Energy and Sustainability team
The Donation Drive was set up to reduce the environmental impact of moving out, by making it easier for students to donate unwanted items before they leave campus.
In the last academic year, over 8.6 tonnes of kitchenware, food, books, small electricals, textiles, and homeware were donated.Approximately 69% of these items were reused, benefiting initiatives like the Workwear Wardrobe and local partners including the Trussell Trust, Carriers of Hope, and Finham Park 2 School.
The project avoided around 22.1 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to 3.3 laps around the world in a car.
The team aimed to keep as many of the donated items as possible in use on campus, and the Kitchen Kit Market helped to achieve this by redistributing over two tonnes of kitchenware.
The market was immensely popular, attracting over 1,200 attendees and raising nearly £6,000 to support Carriers of Hope, a Coventry-based charity that assists asylum seekers and refugees.
This initiative is a shining example of cross-departmental teamwork, led by the Energy & Sustainability team with support from Post & Portering, Waste & Recycling, Accommodation and Conferences.
Want to get involved?
Volunteer at the 2025 Donation Drive! Join a team of staff, students, and community members to help collect and sort donated items like food, small electricals, kitchenware, books, and bedding.
The project received a huge amount of positive feedback:
"Not only do we save tonnes of waste from landfill, but the items collected and money raised from the sale go to providing a positive start for our clients as they settle into their new lives in Coventry. Every item goes to turning a refugee family's empty house into a home they can truly feel safe and happy in. Thanks so much to The University of Warwick Circular Economy team for all of their hard work and for inviting us to be part of the project."
Steffi Price - Director of Operations and Partnerships, Carriers of Hope
"A huge thank you to the Donation Drive team who very kindly responded to our plea for fashionable clothing and stationery items suitable for young people. This is a fabulous initiative that will no doubt make a positive difference to the lives of many families living in the local area - thank you so much."
Sarah Newell, Volunteer Development Officer, Warwick Volunteers on behalf of Finham Park 2 School