With finals and move-out day looming, the Old2Gold collection sites popping up across campus are a welcome sight for students whose dorm rooms are looking more crowded than they did in August. The University’s year-end campus yard sale has been a highly successful venue for donating gently used items since 2005.
“It takes strong teamwork across many different departments to make Old2Gold a success,” said Sarah Misener, Associate Vice President for Campus Services. “It’s a collaborative effort that includes Recycling, Sustainability, Building Services, and Residence Hall Staff, as well as volunteers from over 40 local charities.”
Old2Gold has a two-fold mission: in addition to diverting materials from landfills, the program supports charitable organizations in the area. One hundred percent of the proceeds from each Old2Gold sale are split amongst the volunteer organizations that assist in coordinating and conducting the event. The annual sale is attended by over 3,000 community members.
“Nearly 600 tons of items have been donated to Old2Gold over the past eight years, making it one of the most important waste reduction initiatives on campus,” said Ian Hogan, Manager of Recycling, Solid Waste, and Special Projects. “Having resold nearly three thousand bikes, countless refrigerators and televisions, and an unimaginable amount clothing, this program truly demonstrates that ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’.”
Wood pickups, for those residence halls donating wood lofts and/or scrap wood, will occur Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3. Students should place wood at the location designated by their Rector.
The regular donation pickup will run Monday, May 6 through Monday, May 20.
When students are ready to move items out of their rooms, they should separate items into two categories, “Furniture” (chairs, couches, futons, desks, shelving, etc..) and “Other Donations” (clothing, books, refrigerators, etc..), and carry the donations to the corresponding yard sign, either Old2Gold Furniture or Old2Gold Other Donations outside their residence halls. While students may place items at these designated locations at any time throughout the day, they should be aware that pickups will occur daily from 7:00am to 9:00am.
The ninth annual Old2Gold Sale will take place Saturday, June 15, from 7:00am to 10:00am at the Notre Dame Stadium. Visit old2gold.nd.edu for further details.