Student Move Out

At the end of the fall and spring semesters, with the push to finish finals, students are eager to move out to begin their summer. However, with this push, students generate tons of landfill waste. Because much of this waste can still be used, Winthrop began a partnership with Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont to collect items for donation as students move out of their residence halls at the end of the spring semester. Below are additional suggestions about how to reduce the waste generated during move-out.

• During the school year:
  • Do not collect stuff that is not useful long-term. It is okay to say no to "free" stuff.
  • Consider your consumption: how many free t-shirts do you need?
  • Create a share-table, share with friends, or donate unwanted items and food.
• Packing and moving out:
  • Do not just toss stuff into a bin or box. Question if items is really needed.
    • Donate any unopened, non-perishable food items, toilet paper, paper towels, clothes, laundry detergent, etc. to a local charity.
    • Donate clean and gently used furniture, rugs, and other home accessories to Goodwill or to another local thrift store.
  • Wrap breakables, including dishes, glasses, and electronics in clothing or bedding to cut down on the use of bubble wrap or other packing material that is not recyclable.
  • Recycle:
    • Ask RA how to properly dispose of electronics that are no longer functioning - do not place electronics in dumpsters.
    • Recycle all trash that can be recycled.
    • Empty recycling bins in the room into bins located in recycling rooms.
  • Do not idle when loading vehicle(s)
  • Leave room free of trash and belongings
  • Turn off lights when leaving the room.
• Contact the Office of Sustainability with questions about what to do with unwanted items when moving out of Winthrop's residence halls.