Waste Not

Waste Not is an annual program that fosters equitable sustainability by improving access to low-cost items while reducing campus waste. Our volunteer team collects essential supplies every spring during move-out and holds a fall tag sale for the community. Waste Not’s mission is to foster responsible consumption and cooperative, focused teamwork.

Wesleyan partnered with Goodwill of Southern New England from 2013-2022 and since 2023 has collaborated with Hartsprings Foundation to coordinate Waste Not collection and donate as much as possible to the community.  Wesleyan also collaborates with The Resource Center, Amazing Grace Food Pantry, Grad Bag, Eddy Shelter, and Better World Books to repurpose food, clothing, dorm essentials, and books. 

Since 2009, via the proceeds from the Waste Not tag sale, we have raised $48,000 for local charities, environmentally-based projects, disaster relief, and Wesleyan sustainability programming.

• Spring Collection 2025

  Waste Not Spring Collection

  What can I donate?

  • Clothing, shoes, and hangers
  • Bedding (sheets, towels, pillowcases, blankets, comforters; no pillows, egg crates, or mattresses)
  • Furniture (couches, loveseats, futons, dressers, desks, chairs, bookshelves)
  • Refrigerators
  • Microwaves
  • Lamps (desk and table)
  • Electronics (TVs, speakers, printers, computers, phones, etc.)
  • Appliances (coffee pots, fans, electric kettles, etc.)
  • Bathroom items (shower caddies) 
  • Kitchen items (dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, baking sheets, cups and mugs, water bottles)
  • Alarm clocks
  • Books (including textbooks and course packs)
  • School supplies (notebooks, binders, pens, rulers, art supplies, paper) 
  • Decorations (mirrors, rugs, posters, wall hangings, knick knacks)
  • Food (unopened; no perishable items)
  • Cleaning supplies (laundry detergent, Swiffers, brooms, vacuums, etc.)

  Where and when can I donate?

  Indoor/Outdoor donation bins: Monday, May 5 - Saturday, May 17

  Donate smaller items here. Bring larger items to the Waste Not collection garage behind 44 Brainerd Ave (leave under the overhang on the left side of the garage.

  Indoor

  1. 200 Church entryway
  2. Bennet laundry room
  3. Butterfield A outside the study room
  4. Butterfield B outside the laundry room
  5. Butterfield C outside the kitchen and laundry room
  6. Clark lounge
  7. Hewitt 9 next to kitchen
  8. Nics 5 lounge
  9. WestCo 3 lounge
  10. Hi Rise laundry room (this bin will be available through Monday, May 26)
  11. Fauver ground floor lobby (this bin will be available through Monday, May 26)

  Outdoor

  1. Art/Film House Parking Lot
  2. Between 65/73 Pearl St.
  3. Parking lot between 255 Pine and 58 Fountain
  4. Back of LoRise C by parking lot (this bin will be available through Monday, May 26)
  5. Warren St. (Monday, May 26 only)

  Saturday, May 17

  Move-out day.  Waste Not volunteers will be stopping at all indoor and outdoor donation bins and outside each dorm for larger donations.  The 58 Fountain garage (furniture) and Hockey Rink (all other items) will be open all day to accept donations.

  Sunday, May 18 - Sunday, May 25

  Donate small items at outdoor donation bins or leave items under the overhang at the 44 Brainerd garage. Volunteers will accept donations in-person at the 58 Fountain garage (furniture) and Hockey Rink (all other items) on Saturday from 3-5 pm and Sunday from 2-5 pm. Early donations are much appreciated!

  Monday, May 26

  Senior move-out.  Waste Not volunteers will be accepting donations at the 58 Fountain garage (furniture) and Hockey Rink (all other items) and at the remaining outdoor donation bins.  

  Outdoor Waste Not drop-off locations on Saturday, 5/17 (all residents move out)

  • Behind 44 Brainerd 
  • between Low and High Rise 
  • Between 65 and 73 Pearl
  • Parking lot next to Art/Film House (230 Washington)

  Open on Monday, 5/26 (seniors and other approved students move out)

  • Hockey Rink Warren St. entrance (priority donation location for everything EXCEPT furniture)
  • Fountain/Pine backyard by garage (priority donation location for furniture)
  • 44 Brainerd garage
  • Between 65 and 73 Pearl

   

• Fall Sale 2025

  2025 Sale 

  Saturday, August 30 (12-3 PM) and Sunday, August 31 (10 AM - 1 PM)

  Location 1 (Saturday ONLY): Garage behind 58 Fountain Ave. (couches, chairs, futons, other furniture)

  Location 2: Garage behind 44 Brainerd Ave. (mini fridges, microwaves, lamps, mirrors, fans, electronics, kitchen appliances, hangers, decorations, school supplies, household items, rugs, and much more! Note that mini fridges are in short supply in 2024.)

  

  Items for Sale

  Prices are subject to change.  Please contact wesustainability@gmail.com for questions about pricing and what's available.

  • Furniture: couches, loveseats, futons ($50-70), arm chairs ($30-40), dressers ($20-30), desks ($20-50), desk chairs ($10-20), bookshelves ($15-30)
  • Refrigerators ($50-60)
  • Microwaves ($30)
  • Lamps: desk ($5-10), floor ($10-20)
  • Electronics: TVs, speakers, printers, etc. ($10-40)
  • Appliances: coffee pots, fans, electric kettles, rice cookers, blenders, etc. ($5-20)
  • Hangers (10 for $1)
  • Rugs ($10-20)
  • Mirrors ($10-20)
  • Bathroom items ($1-3)
  • Kitchen items: dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, baking sheets, cups and mugs, water bottles ($1-10)
  • Alarm clocks ($5)
  • School supplies (notebooks, binders, pens, rulers, art supplies, paper) ($1-5)
  • Decorations: posters, wall hangings, knick knacks ($1-10)