Sustainable Move-In/Move-Out

Wellesley College's annual Sustainable Move-Out started in the spring of 2010. Now, every year in May, the Office of Sustainability provides large orange bins to each residence hall for students to donate their good-quality dorm items that they are unable to bring home with them. Instead of throwing these belongings in the trash, they are resold at the Sustainable Move-In Sale to students moving back to campus in the fall at a fraction of their retail cost. Items that are sold include containers, furniture, refrigerators, lamps, hangers, electronics, beauty supplies, books, bags, school supplies, home decor, games, kitchen supplies, and more. All proceeds of this event go towards sustainability projects on campus. Items that are not resold are donated to charities in the area. Clothing is sent to the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation in Boston, and toiletries are sent to Rosie's Place in Boston, a shelter for female victims of domestic abuse. All items at the end of the sale that are not sold are donated to Safe Haven, a halfway house in Boston. We hope that by getting students involved in reducing unnecessary waste and consumption, they will become more environmentally conscious and promote a more sustainable community.