Campus Move-Out for Students
Move-Out Donation Competition 2024
The Notre Dame Sustainability Office is hosting its first-ever move-out donation competition! The process is simple:
- Donate unwanted items in the blue donation carts or at the Goodwill donation sites on residence hall lawns (look for signage).
- Snap a photo of your donation.
- Submit your donation photo and details to our office on this Google Form.
- The leading dorms will have Insomnia Cookies delivered on May 3, May 6, and May 8!
The more items you submit, the greater chance you have of winning a prize from our raffle! Submissions start April 29 and end May 10. Winners will be notified via email.
A lot can happen in a year, especially waste accumulation! As you plan your move-out and get ready for summer break, please consider the resources available to you to reduce landfill waste and help the local community.
Option #1: Donate
As of Spring 2023, blue donation bins will be available inside the residence halls. These donation bins are reserved for smaller items only, like lamps or clothing. Larger items, such as couches or rugs, should be taken outside of the residence halls and placed near the white yard signs.
As of Spring 2024, cardboard donation boxes will be available in residence halls to donate school supplies, like pens, pencils, scissors, folders, blank Post-Its, and more! Gently used items will go to the Robinson Community Learning Center and South Bend Public Schools.
Option #2: Recycle
Recycling will be available via the blue toters (plastic, glass, aluminum) and gray carts (cardboard), located in the same spots you've become familiar with during the academic year. If you aren't sure if an item can be recycled, check out our A-Z Recycling Directory.
Option #3: Landfill
If an item is broken, or unable to be donated or recycled, your final option is to send it to the landfill. Green Waste Management dumpsters and silver dumpsters on wheels will be located outside near residence halls.
Not sure what to do with an item? See our Move-Out FAQ and table of common dorm items below.
Remember: There are mandatory move-out procedures to complete before you exit campus. For complete information about dorm move-out requirements, please visit Residential Life's move-out checklist page.
Move-Out FAQ
When does move-out begin?
- Move-out week 2024 is May 2 through May 11. Once you see donation bins and trash dumpsters, you can start using them to expedite your move-out process!
Where will donation sites be located?
- Smaller donation items, like clothes, mugs, or shoes, should be placed in blue donation carts inside the residence halls. Larger donation items, such as fridges or futons, should be piled on the lawn outside near the Goodwill donation yard signs.
Where will recycling containers be located?
- Blue recycling toters and gray cardboard carts will be available in their typical locations in dorms and across campus.
Where will dumpsters be located?
- Dumpsters will be dispersed outside near residence halls.
How will I know if a container is used for donations, recycling, or trash?
- Blue indoor donation carts will be labeled
- Outdoor donation piles will be marked with white yard signs
- Recycling toters and carts will be located next to a recycling poster
- Trash dumpsters will have magnetic labels to be identified as trash
Where does my donated/recycled/trashed item go?
- Donated personal items go to Goodwill Industries of Michiana
- Donated school supplies go to the Robinson Community Learning Center and South Bend Public Schools
- Recycling is processed by Recycling Works
- Trash is hauled away to the landfill by Waste Management
Why should I sort and donate items I no longer want?
- Ever heard the saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure?” Proper sorting of discarded items in Move-Out allows items that may normally go into the trash to be reused or recycled. Every year during Move-Out, truckloads of items get donated to Goodwill thanks to efforts from students. Last year, over 15 tons of items were able to be donated!
Common Dorm Items
| Item | How to Process | Location |
| Bedding (clean) | Donate | Indoor donation carts |
| Books | Donate* | Check with your local Hall Council |
| Broken electronics | Trash | Dumpsters outside of residence halls |
| Cardboard | Recycle | Gray recycling carts |
| Clothes | Donate | Indoor donation carts |
| Couch | Donate | Outside donation pile |
| Chair | Donate | Outside donation pile |
| Desk lamp | Donate | Indoor donation carts |
| Fridges | Donate | Outside donation pile |
| Floor lamp | Donate | Outside donation pile |
| Food - opened or expired | Trash | Dumpsters outside of residence halls |
| Food - unopened and unexpired | Donate* | Check with your local Hall Council |
| Futon | Donate | Outside donation pile |
| Glass bottles | Recycle | Blue toters located within residence halls |
| Kitchen utensils or serveware | Donate | Indoor donation carts |
| Mattress protector | Donate | Indoor donation carts |
| Microwave | Donate | Indoor donation carts |
| Pens, pencils, and other school supplies | Donate | Cardboard donation boxes |
| Pillows | Trash | Dumpsters outside of residence halls |
| Posters | Recycle | Blue toters located within residence halls |
| Rugs or carpeting | Donate | Outside donation pile |
*Some Hall Councils organize food and book drives. Please check with your dorm's Council to see if food and book donations are available to you during move-out. If your hall doesn't have a book drive, please put your books in the indoor donation carts. If your dorm does not have a food drive, please trash it or take it to a local food shelter.