As the spring semester wraps up and students prepare to head home for the summer, college campuses transform into hubs of hurried activity. Finals week often overlaps with move-out deadlines, creating a perfect storm of stress, late-night studying, and frantic packing. In the shuffle, it’s common for students to leave behind more than just memories—mini fridges, lamps, textbooks, clothes, and unopened food are routinely abandoned or tossed in dorm dumpsters.
Turning Move-Out into a Meaningful Mission
College move-outs are often massive missed opportunities for charitable donations. The average college student generates around 640 pounds of solid waste each year, with a significant portion of that piling up during move-out. This flood of items—many still in excellent condition—ends up in landfills simply because students don’t have the time, information, or resources to do otherwise.
At ReSupply, we see the move-out season differently. We believe it’s not just a logistical hurdle— it’s a chance to create a positive impact. With the right support, students can declutter responsibly, reduce waste, and empower local charities. This guide outlines a practical, stress-free framework to make that possible.
Why College Move-Out Generates So Much Waste
Every year, campuses see an influx of discarded clothing, furniture, small appliances, and decor. Many of these items are perfectly reusable, yet they often end up in dumpsters due to time constraints and lack of donation awareness by students and the university.
Single-Semester Consumer Culture
College life often demands quick, budget-conscious purchases: a $10 desk lamp, fast fashion for themed events, or plastic bins for storage. These items aren’t built to last, and students usually don’t plan to bring them home. It’s not surprising that this cycle leads to high consumption and low reuse.
At ReSupply, we’re helping to change that narrative. By offering simple, on-demand donation pickups, we make it easier for students to keep usable items out of the waste stream and in the hands of people who need them.
The Environmental Toll of Discarded Dorm Essentials
College move-out contributes thousands of pounds of waste to landfills annually. What’s left behind—often items in good condition—exacerbates already critical waste management issues. According to the EPA, 11.3 million tons of textiles alone end up in U.S. landfills annually. A single campus can produce 20–30 tons of waste in possible donated items during move-out week alone.
A Growing Carbon Footprint
When usable items are thrown away, they’re typically replaced by new purchases the following semester—meaning more raw materials, more emissions, and more packaging waste. Donation slows that cycle. It keeps items in use longer and reduces the environmental cost of constant consumption.
Know What You Can (and Can’t) Donate
Not everything is donation-worthy—and that’s okay! A helpful rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t feel good receiving the item yourself, it’s probably not the right thing to donate. Focus on gently used items that are clean, functional, and in good condition. Examples include:
- Clothing
- Gently used bedding and towels
- Small appliances (coffee makers, fans)
- Dorm décor and storage items
- Canned or unopened packaged food.
On the flip side, avoid donating items such as broken electronics, opened toiletries or cosmetics, or expired food. Remember if you wouldn’t want it due to the condition of it, someone else most likely won’t either.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, check with your local donation center or book a ReSupply pickup. We’ll help determine the best destination for your items—even if they’re not donation-worthy, ReSupply can take them for responsible disposal.
How Your University Can Make an Impact
It’s easy for one student to feel like their single bag of donations doesn’t matter. But when an entire campus participates, the results are staggering. Schools across the country have proven the collective power of student-driven sustainability:
- Boston University diverted 113 tons of donations from the landfill in May 2024 through their “Goodwill, Not Landfill” program.
- George Washington University’s “Green Move-Out” campaign collected 67,000 pounds of donations in May 2025.
- Southern Methodist University partnered with Goodwill Dallas to divert 29,000 pounds to the donation centers rather than the landfill.
When schools coordinate donation pickups and actively communicate move-out donation options among students and staff, members of the university communities are far more likely to participate. These efforts don’t just reduce waste—they foster a culture of community giving.
The Pain Points of Donating for Students (and How to Solve Them)
Even students who want to donate run into roadblocks:
Problem: “I don’t have a car.”
Solution: Scheduling a donation pickup with ReSupply offers on-demand, full-service removal and pickup—no car needed.
Problem: “I don’t know where to bring donations.”
Solution: Universities can partner with organizations like ReSupply to take all the guesswork out of donating. ReSupply will bring your donations to the charities within your community who need them.
Problem: “I don’t have time.”
Solution: Universities can remind students about donation options, such as scheduling a personal donation pickup or any campus-wide donation pickups, to keep it top of mind. Donation pickups can offset the time it takes to gather up items and drive them over to a donation drop-off location.
Problem: “My items won’t make a difference.”
Solution: Even the smallest donations can make a big difference. If everyone donated their gently-used items, even just one bag or box, there would be many resources available to those in need. Not to mention, every bit counts when diverting waste from landfill.
Make Your College Move-Out Count With ReSupply
Whether you’re a student preparing to head home, an RA managing your floor, or a campus staff member building a green initiative, there’s a role for everyone in creating a cleaner, more intentional move-out season.
Schedule your donation pickup with ReSupply and give your items a second life where they’re needed most. Call (617) 917-9625 or book online by clicking below.
