Leave Newcastle Happy
Leave Newcastle Happy
Leave Newcastle Happy is an annual campaign to promote proper disposal and recycling of student belongings when many leave in the summer months!
Date/Time: June 2023
Venue: Newcastle upon Tyne
Leave Newcastle Happy aims to prevent waste cluttering residential areas of Newcastle and increase recycling and reuse.
The campaign is organised collaboratively by Newcastle University Students' Union, Newcastle University, Northumbria Students' Union, Northumbria University and Newcastle City Council.
Skips and donation banks are set up to help students dispose of everything in the best possible way.
Find out more on Newcastle University Students' Union webpages.
View our Waste A-Z below to find out how to dispose of a range of items.
A
AAdapter
Adapters are a type of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)and this can be recycled. Use the Recycle Now website to learn the various locations around Newcastle City Centre that will accept WEEE for recycling. They can also be disposed of at a Hypno Cat black box. Find yournearest box here.
Airer/Drying Rack
Airers in good condition can be taken British Heart Foundation drop off points throughout the city. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
If your airer is in poor condition put it can be disposed of in the general waste skip.
B
BBatteries
Regular batteries should be put in battery bins. These are available on campus and throughout the city. Do not put batteries in the general waste/recycling bins.
Bedding
Bedding that is clean and in good condition may be accepted at your local British Heart Foundation clothing shop, however it is best to pop in and ask beforehand. If they do not accept bedding, it can be taken to your local recycling facility which can be found using the Recycle Now website.
Blankets
Blankets that are clean and in good condition may be accepted at your local British Heart Foundation clothing shop, however it is best to pop in and ask beforehand. If they do not accept blankets, they can be taken to your local recycling facility which can be found using the Recycle Now website.
Books
Books can be taken to British Heart Foundation drop off points or banks throughout the city. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
C
CCardboard Cut Outs
Most cardboard can be put in your household recycling bin however it is important to check the materials your cut out is made from. Many cardboard cut outs can be covered in a thin layer of plastic film which cannot be separated from paper and therefore cannot be recycled. These should be placed in the general waste skip.
Cleaning Products
Follow the directions on the packaging for how best to dispose of cleaning products.
Clothes Hangers
Clothes hangers should be placed in the general waste bin/skip. If the clothes hangers are in a useable condition you can check with your local charity shop to see if they need any.
Clothing
Clothing can be taken to British Heart Foundation drop off points or banks throughout the city. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
Crockery (Plates, bowls etc.)
Crockery that is in a good condition can be taken to British Heart Foundation drop off points or throughout the city. All other crockery can be put in the general waste skip in a plastic bag. The locations of the skips and drop off points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
D
DDuvet
Duvets should be placed in the general waste skip as they cannot be recycled. The locations of these skips can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
E
EExtension Leads
Extension leads could be taken to your local British Heart Foundation furniture and electrical store, however some stores may not accept them, so it is best to check in advance.
Extension leads are a type of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and this can be recycled. Use the Recycle Now website to learn the various locations around Newcastle City Centre that will accept WEEE for recycling. Extension leads can also be disposed of at a Hypno Cat black box. Find your nearest box here.
F
FFairy lights
Both battery powered and plug-in fairy lights are Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and this can be recycled. Use the Recycle Now website to learn the various locations around Newcastle City Centre that will accept WEEE for recycling. Fairy lights can also be disposed of at a Hypno Cat black box. Find your nearest box here. Do not put fairy lights in the General Waste bin or other recycling bins.
Food
Non-perishable goodscan be taken to British Heart Foundation drop off points. All food dropped off at these points will go to the Student Pantry in the Students’ Union.
Non-perishables can also be put in donation boxes at your local supermarket.
G
GGlass bottles
Glass bottles can be recycled at home. Check with your local authority for which bin it should be disposed in – often this will be separate from other household recycling.
H
HHouse Plants
If your house plants are in a good condition, you can share them on an online market place or sharing app. If the plant is in a poor condition, it can be put in the general waste bin/skip.
K
KKettles
Kettles that used but in good condition can be taken to a British Heart Foundation furniture and electrical store.
Kettles are a type of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and this can be recycled. Use the Recycle Now website to learn the various locations around Newcastle City Centre that will accept WEEE for recycling. Kettles can also be disposed of at a Hypno Cat black box. Find your nearest box here.
Kitchen Utentsils
Kitchen utensils that used but in good condition can be taken to a British Heart Foundation drop off point. If the utensils are no longer usable and are not electronic, they can be placed in the general waste bin. Electronic devices are a type of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and so can be recycled. Use the Recycle Now website to learn the various locations around Newcastle City Centre that will accept WEEE for recycling. They can also be disposed of at a Hypno Cat black box. Find your nearest box here.
Kitchen knives should not be put in your recycling/general waste bin. Contact your local council to find out how best dispose of them in your area.
L
LLight Bulbs
Most energy efficient light bulbs can be recycled at your local recycling centre. Older style ‘incandescent’ light bulbs should be disposed of with regular household waste.
M
MMattress covers
Mattress covers that are in a clean and good condition may be accepted at a British Heart Foundation high street clothing store, however it is best to pop in and ask beforehand. If the mattress cover is not in a good condition it can be taken to your local recycling facility which can be found using the Recycle Now website.
Medicines
Unopened, unused and out-of-date medicines should be returned to pharmacies for disposal. The cardboard that houses blister packs can be recycled in household recycling. Blister packs can be recycled at local Superdrug Pharmacies.
Inhalers should be taken to your local pharmacy to recycle. They should not be put in the waste bin as the residual gas within them is harmful to the environment.
Mirrors
Mirrors in good condition can be taken British Heart Foundation drop off points throughout the city. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page. If your mirror is too large to drop off, you can also arrange a free collection.
P
PPans
Frying pans and saucepans that are in good condition can be donated to charity. If the pans are in a poor condition they can be put in the general waste bin/skip.
Pillows/cushions
Pillows/cushions should be placed in the general waste skip as they cannot be recycled. The locations of these skips can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
Plastic bags
Plastic bags and other soft plastics can be taken to your local supermarket such as Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s which will have collection points.
Plastic/Fake House Plants
Fake house plants in good condition can be taken British Heart Foundation drop off points throughout the city. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
R
RRugs
Rugs that used but in good condition can be taken to a British Heart Foundation furniture and electrical store. If the rug is in a poor condition, it can be placed in the general waste skip. The locations of these skips can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
S
SSanitary/Period Products
Sanitary/period products can be taken to British Heart Foundation drop off points. All products dropped off at these points will go to the Student Pantry in the Students’ Union.
Stationery
Stationery in a good and useable condition can be taken to your local British Heart Foundation high street store or be taken British Heart Foundation drop off points throughout the city. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
T
TTable lamp
Table lamps in good condition can be taken British Heart Foundation drop off points throughout the city. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page. If your lamp is too large to drop off, you can also arrange a free collection.
If your lamp cannot be donated, both battery powered, and plug-in lamps are WEEE and so should be disposed of at a Hypno Cat black box. Find your nearest box here. Do not put lamps in the General Waste bin or other recycling bins.
Textbooks
Textbooks that are in a good condition can be sold to Blackwell’s in Newcastle city centre or they can be taken to one of the British Heart Foundation drop off points throughout the city. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page.
Toaster
Toasters that used but in good condition can be taken to a British Heart Foundation furniture and electrical store.
Toasters are a type of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and this can be recycled. Use the Recycle Now website to learn the various locations around Newcastle City Centre that will accept WEEE for recycling. Toasters can also be disposed of at a Hypno Cat black box. Find your nearest box here.
Toiletries
Unused toiletries can be taken to British Heart Foundation drop off points. All products dropped off at these points will go to the Student Pantry in the Students’ Union.Traffic Cones/Signs
Traffic cones/signs can be taken to British heart Foundation drop off points. The locations of these points can be found on the Leave Newcastle Happy page. Do not put signs/cones in the recycling/general waste bin.
Tupperware
Tupperware and food storage containers that are in good condition can be donated to charity. If the containers are in a poor condition they can be put in the general waste bin/skip.
V
VVapes
Vapes are WEEE and so should be disposed of at a Hypno Cat black box. Find yournearest box here. Do not put vapes in the General Waste bin or other recycling bins.