Volunteer Handbook
What is the Big Sort?
The Big Sort is a sustainability project by the Students’ Association, the University of Edinburgh and our community partner Bright Green Business Solutions.
The project aims to divert literally tons of items from landfill, as students move out of term-time accommodation for summer. We do this by facilitating collection points where students can leave good quality reusable items to find a new home during Welcome Week’s Take What You Need Fair, formerly known as the FreeShop, as well as redistribution to other charities by Bright Green.
THE
BIG
Big Sort Volunteer Lead Tasks
☐ Introduce yourself to the group
☐ Coordinate with other Volunteer Team Leads and make decisions collectively
☐ Make sure any volunteers with accessibility requirements receive the appropriate support
☐ Keep your fellow volunteers safe, i.e. ensure working area is kept as clutter free as possible
☐ If volunteers leave, make sure to take a note
☐ Keep your fellow volunteers happy, i.e. encourage regular breaks for fresh air and glove-free hands
☐ Keep your fellow volunteers motivated
☐ Give guidance on sorting decisions
☐ Remind volunteers are allowed to take a couple of items but be mindful that item shall get redistributed at the Take What You Need Fair and to charities
☐ Ensure items get weighed and this is recorded (see separate sheet)
☐ Contact Big Sort organisers if there any questions, conflicts
☐ Play the Bingo
☐ Have fun!
☐ Remind everyone of the Thank You Event on the 11th of June, 4.30pm Box Bar, Potterrow
Health and Safety
Beware when opening a bag or box - it might not contain what you think it contains so be careful when sorting through “stuff” - look out for sharps, items which might be broken etc.
When bagging up items make sure you don’t overfill the bags - minimise heavy lifting
If you find the waste is too contaminated then we must dispose of it immediately into the General Waste (all general waste on Pollock Halls site is sent to Refused defined fuel not landfill)
Take fresh air breaks, rest breaks and keep washing or sanitising your hands
Use disposable gloves where possible
Use dynamic risk assessment at all times when sorting through collections
Sorting Guidance
BLUE – Take What You Need Fair
Air Driers, Coat Hangers, Household goods, academic books, coats, jackets, small electrical items, storage units, laundry baskets, mirrors, crockery, cooking equipment
GREEN – Bright Green
All goods which don’t go to other charities, like duvets, pillows, bedding.
RED – British Heart Foundation
Clothes, small household goods
FOOD
Unopened: Dalkeith Food Bank
Opened: Goodies
Lost property items – keep aside and hand over to organisers or accommodation staff
General Waste
Bingo!
A bit of fun whilst finding your treasures ...
We want to shout about everything you’re getting up to and let staff and students see how big this event really is!
As Team Leads it would be great if you posted on social media with before and after photos of the spaces you are sorting. You should also encourage all volunteers to take part in our social media challenge: Big Sort Bingo. It’ll help us spotlight all the weird and wonderful items you are sure to uncover…
If you use #BigSort2024 we will be able to share! Or you can email your pics to volunteering@eusa.ed.ac.uk
Bingo!
#BigSort2024
Contact Details
Clara Boeker
Student Opportunities Coordinator for Community Volunteering Development
Edinburgh University Students’ Association
Mobile: 07593606549
Email: clara.boeker@eusa.ed.ac.uk
Sandra Kinnear
Health, Safety & Sustainability Advisor
Accommodation, Catering and Events
Mobile: 07717 364 705
Email: Sandra.Kinnear@eusa.ed.ac.uk
For Thursday, 6th of June and Friday, 7th of June only
Iain Campbell
Student Opportunities Lead Coordinator for Peer Learning and Support
Edinburgh University Students’ Association
Mobile: 07860146889
Email: Iain.campbell@eusa.ed.ac.uk
Weighing Guidance
To help us measure the impact of the Big Sort, we are weighing all the items that are not going to Bright Green Business Solutions. This way, we can say confidently that we literally saved tons of items going to landfill.
For this, please weigh all items from the Red, Blue and Food categories and fill in the attached template. This needs to be handed over to the Big Sort organisers, or you can take a picture of it and send it via email or messages.
Weighing Template
Category Weight
Red
Food
Blue