Ohio University

OHIO move-out services benefit the community

May 17, 2012
By Lisa Kefalos

As the school year comes to a close, Ohio University's Recycling and Refuse Department is encouraging students to donate old items and leftover food. Beginning Monday, May 21, on- and off-campus collections sites will be accepting reusable goods, helping to divert waste from the landfill while serving a community in need.

Donation stations are part of the annual move-out services provided by OHIO's Recycling and Refuse Department, which strives to provide easy access recycling initiatives for the students and surrounding community members.

During the 2011 move-out, seven organizations collected 174 tons of food and goods, with 1,220 families benefitting from donations. The initiative also saved the University more than $6,000 through waste diversion, according to Recycling and Refuse Manager Ed Newman.

Newman is hoping to double those figures during this year's move-out, thanks to more stream-lined processes.

"We are turning move-out into a science, a cleaner and more organized process, creating a model for other schools," Newman said.

Drop-off locations for reusable goods will be located at each residence hall, both indoors and outdoors. Sponsored by Campus Recycling, the Athens County Fair Board and the Golden Gates 4-H Club, these sites will accept donations from May 21 through June 12.

OHIO residents can donate reusable goods such as:

• Furniture, with pick up services available
• Carpeting
• Office/school/art supplies 
  
• Electronics
• Household goods
• Clothing
• Building supplies
• Hygiene and cleaning supplies

Off-campus students, as well as other Athens residents, are encouraged to utilize the neighborhood collection sites. Goods may be dropped from June 6-10 at:

• Athens Middle School
• Dominos
• N. Court & State St. (next to big dumpster)
• In-between Coss and Mill St.
• Near the end of Mill and McKinely Drive
• Corner of Grosvenor and Carpenter St.
• Train Depot on Union St.
• Next to Dirty Deeds Laundromat

Door-to-door collections will take place June 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in residential neighborhoods, and June 7-8 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in student rental areas.

Newman said Ohio University is one of the few schools in the country that extends off-campus recycling opportunities during move-out. The donations help generate assets for the local population – making all the hard work well worth it, he added.  

For more information on Campus Recycling services and opportunities please visit http://www.facilities.ohiou.edu/recycle/index.html.