Oxford University cracks down on 'horrible' student tradition of 'trashing'

Students at Oxford take part in 'trashing' each year as their exams end, throwing food and confetti, and spraying bubbly at their classmates leaving exam halls.

But this year, the University and its colleges are trying to clamp down on the practice, with a campaign billing it as wasteful and bad for the environment.

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Christ Church has decided to close off its famous meadow for two hours each at two times a day when exams end, so students cannot go there to trash.

James Lawrie, treasurer at Christ Church, said: "Christ Church regards trashing as anti-social behaviour which is a waste of food and potentially harmful to wildlife, and for that reason is seeking to dissuade students from entering the meadow and pursuing this horrible practice."

A notice at the gate of Christ Church Meadow explaining it is closed due to trashing.

On the University's website, a dedicated campaign called #StopTrashing has been set up.

The page said: "We understand you want to celebrate after your exams, especially after the challenges of this year. However, trashing has significant negative social, financial and personal impacts."

It said trashing 'disruptive' to the community', that wasting food 'reinforces negative stereotypes about Oxford students' and that it costs the University £25,000 each year to clean up.

Students are apparently not allowed into Oxford's pubs and bars if they have been 'trashed' either.

Oxford students trashing in 2019 at Christ Church Meadow. Picture: Dave Fleming.

In 2019, students were condemned for trashing in Christ Church Meadow, which was previously closed in 2017 to prevent the practice.

Oxford's Student Union was unavailable for comment, but students in past years have described trashing as good fun and a way for them to blow off steam after exams.

In 2014, the Oxford Mail spoke to students as they left their exams about trashing, and found that many of them had no objection to the tradition.

Oxford students trashing in 2014. Picture: Dave Fleming.

Oxford students trashing in 2014. Picture: Dave Fleming.

A group of students has even created biodegradable confetti through a company called Eco-Trash, with the aim of lessening its impact.

Oxford's City Council however, has sided with the University's hard line on the tradition, which is said to have started in the 1970s.

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Mike Rowley, cabinet member for citizen focused services, said: “Trashing can be costly for the local community and the environment.

"Just this weekend ODS has had to spend over three and a half hours and divert resources to clean Merton Street, Oriel Square, Radcliffe Square and Quaking Bridge.

"I'd like to thank the University for helping us clean up: in 2019 they supported the cleaning with over £7k for the work ODS carries out after trashing."

He added: “Please celebrate considerately. Some celebrations have spread litter and other detritus, including broken glass, around the city centre with inevitable safety issues this causes.

"There's also a growing trend to use paint powder bombs which stain the paving and are expensive and difficult to clean up. We welcome students as part of Oxford's lively and diverse community - don't spoil it.”