Student trash: People respond to Sheffield universities' crackdown on end of term tipping

The organisations teamed up to combat end of term dumping - an annual blight on communities as students leave rented accommodation. They also said the council was putting on extra collections.

But in student land around Ecclesall Road it was clear the build up of bin bags had begun before the deadline to be out on June 30.

The problem is tricky. Most students don’t have cars, so struggle to get to the tip, despite numerous reminders before they move out.

The universities advise them to leave bags in ‘neat’ piles for collection but some are swiftly torn open by people looking for anything value during the day - and foxes at night.

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The council puts on extra rubbish collections but the service is abused by non-students who use it as a free waste service, it is claimed.

And students, who may have recycled all year, end up ignoring bin colours and throw in the wrong items - which the binmen then refuse to take.

One student on Khartoum Road near the Botanical Gardens said he’d heard nothing from Sheffield University about rubbish and some piles had already been there for days. And a mum moving her daughter on Rosedale Road near the General Cemetery said bins simply weren’t big enough.

But the chair of one of the largest student lettings companies said they were “improving every year.”

They had changed tenancy agreements so houses were empty for a few days to allow clean ups. They also sent “at least two” reminders.

He added: “I’ve not seen litter patrols but I have a lot of respect for the universities. It’s always going to be difficult. More landlords should have agreements to start clearances a month before people move out.

“It’s been good so far this year but the proof will come on July 2.”

Chris Ashton, of Strawberry Student Homes, said: “All our rubbish was sorted yesterday as all our tenants moved out yesterday. We do that to try and get in front.”

He also claimed they were the only landlord to have a staff member litter picking once every two weeks.

James Merryclough, sustainability communications manager at the University of Sheffield, issued a statement on behalf of both universities saying: “In the immediate weeks around the tenancy handover on July 1, students are asked to put any excess waste in bags neatly outside which is collected regularly by additional council collections.

"We know that the end of tenancy, when the city's 50,000 students move house, is a challenging time for waste in areas with lots of student housing. 

“We patrol local areas and work closely with local residents to quickly deal with reports of unacceptable piles of rubbish, which is usually caused by people ripping open waste bags looking for usable items.”

The Star saw workers for council contractor Amey piling student rubbish on to a truck on Harefield Road off Ecclesall Road.

Sheffield City Council said extra bagged waste will be collected in key student areas until July 7. Students should bag any excess waste and place it neatly onto the pavement in front of their property during the above period.

A spokesperson said: “Some 8,000 houses will have a collection of their extra bagged waste every two days including weekends through that period. Students will be able to provide their own waste disposal sacks rather than the council providing single use sacks. The universities and landlords/letting agents will help promote the services and the wider ‘Donate, Don’t waste’ campaign to all students.

“As a change for this year’s campaign, a follow up service will deal with bins left on the highway, contaminated bins, and damaged bins on July 11 and 12. Working through the student areas, problem bins will be dealt with over those two days. There will be additional patrols in some areas where there have been significant waste deposits and split waste bags in recent years and the council will react quickly to clear these where necessary.”