About

The UMass Lowell Sustainability Committee saw the copious amounts of waste that students throw out at the end of each school year and realized that the majority of the waste could be reused, and diverted from the landfill.

In 2014, UMass Lowell started its first ever donation drive where students could drop off their unwanted clothes, shoes, linens, nonperishable food items, and other miscellaneous items during Earth Week and Move Out. In total 3,437 pounds of goods were collected during Spring Move-Out. All the goods were donated to Lowell non-profits including: The Wish Project, The Lowell Humane Society, and The House of Hope. All the electronics were responsibly recycled through Northeast Material Handling of Lowell. The program was started to reduce the environmental impact of student move out waste and to strive towards the university’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

This year, the Office of Sustainability is hoping to have more student involvement, reach more people, and divert even more waste from going into dumpsters!

In the future we hope to expand the program and increase student involvement. In addition, we hope to explore further opportunities for reusing the material on campus.

Donate Your Items

We will accept anything at our drop-off locations, except for perishable foods and hazardous materials.

The following is a list of suggested items:

• Toiletries & Hygiene/Beauty Care: soaps, lotions, shower caddies, nail polish, bath mats
• Kitchen Supplies: dish racks, dish soap, utensils, pots/pans, cooking spray, cutting boards, cups, plates, bowls, mugs, ice cube trays, kettles, cooking utensils
• Appliances and Electronics: toasters, microwaves, fridges, coffee makers, TVs, computers, chargers, cell phones, lamps, printers, fans, extension cords, batteries, ink cartridges, lights
• Laundry: dryer sheets, hampers, detergent
• Household Items: Trash bins, trash bags, Ziploc bags, aluminum foil, rugs, organizers
• Decorations: Christmas lights, center pieces, plant pots, wall décor, posters, white boards
• Cleaning Supplies: dust pan, broom, vacuum, air freshener, disinfectant wipes
• School Supplies: pens/pencils, staplers, rulers, binders, folders, books, paper clips
• Bedroom: pillows, blankets, bed lining, sheets, stuffed animals, curtains
• Furniture: couches, tables, chairs, lamps
• Clothes/Linens: bags/purses, socks, towels, shirts, pants, coats, shoes, hats, gloves, scarves
• Food: any nonperishable items

Collection Locations

Starting April 21st, at the beginning of Earth Week, and running through May 18th, collection locations will be set up and clearly marked out in the lobby of your residence hall. There will be clear signage and large boxes will be on site for smaller items. The collection stations will remain open through the conclusion of Commencement.