A new student-run program is looking to collect reusable items that typically get thrown out after a school year in dorms and on-campus apartments.
The UBReUSE program will be collecting reusable dorm items from May 8-15 in designated bins across dorm areas. The program will also be collecting items in large tents near Ellicott and Greiner Complexes, as well as Hadley Village.
Education and Leadership Fellows in Sustainability (ELFS) and other student volunteers are running the program, which aims to not only collect items that can be sold for cheap prices but to also get the word out about recycling and reusing, said to Brian Stuhlmiller, SA’s program coordinator and assistant director of environmental affairs.
“We want to help the mindset of students be toward reusing rather than throwing away their old lamp or clothes,” Stuhlmiller said.
The list of accepted items includes clothing, various supplies, room accessories, furniture and toiletries.
The program has been communicating with Campus Living and resident advisers to get the word out, said Jenna Bower*, marketing and outreach coordinator for UBReUSE.
She said the program looks to graduating seniors who are moving out and incoming freshmen that are moving in for items.
Stuhlmiller said his team is most excited about the prices they will be able to offer incoming students. The money collected throughout the program will be put forth to start a “revolving door green sustainability fund” to help students in the future, he said.
“We hope to use the money to divert the costs of next year’s program and also continue with other sustainability projects and programs in the future,” he said.
Stuhlmiller is still searching for more volunteers to help during the rest of the semester as well as over the summer.
“Over the summer we will be having refurbish days to clean clothes, refurbish electronics and organize everything for our sale through opening weekend and closing August 31,” Stuhlmiller said.
Stuhlmiller described his team as a “mini grassroots initiative” for the students.
“We are a student-run program that is working for the student,” Stuhlmiller said.
*Jenna Bower was The Spectrum’s creative director last school year.
Evan Schneider is a news desk editor and can be reached at news@ubspectrum.com.
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
