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Volunteer during move-out at university residence halls

April 30, 2014

Move-out

Volunteers are needed to help ensure that items that can be reused or recycled during this year’s residence hall move-out.

Photo: Joel Ninmann

As more than 7,400 students prepare to move out of the university residence halls, the UW–Madison Division of University Housing is asking for volunteers to help residents and their families repurpose or recycle items they no longer need.

Each year, University Housing partners with UW–Madison students, faculty, staff, and several campus and community organizations to reduce the amount of trash that ends up in landfills as a result of move out. From May 10-17, nine trash/recycling locations will be located near residence halls throughout both the lakeshore and southeast neighborhoods to allow residents and their families to easily place items into appropriate containers.

In 2013, more than 100 volunteers provided more than 300 hours of staffing at trash/recycling locations. In total, volunteers helped to divert approximately 95,000 pounds of waste from landfills by directing items into appropriate areas and answering questions.

For more information, click here.

Items reused and recycled include:

  • Books donated to Rotary International and sent to Africa;
  • Nonperishable food given to the local food pantry at St. Vincent de Paul;
  • Furniture and room belongings donated to St. Vincent de Paul and Goodwill;
  • Metal, carpeting, electronics, and plastic bags.

Housing officials are asking people to consider volunteering as a recycling guide during move out.

Volunteers will staff one of nine recycling locations for two hours between May 10-17, assist students and their families in sorting recyclables at each location, organize donation containers and answer questions, study, read or relax.

Sign up for shifts at the links below. You will receive confirmation of your shift(s) and a recycling guide for your site via e-mail. Have questions or need more information? Send an e-mail to laura.shere@housing.wisc.edu or call 608-262-5537.