Waste Not
Waste Not is an annual program that fosters equitable sustainability by improving access to low-cost items while reducing campus waste and raising money for local and environmental causes. Our volunteer team collects essential supplies every spring during move-out and holds a fall tag sale for the community. We believe in the power of cooperative, focused teamwork to create a future of responsible consumption.
Wesleyan partnered with Goodwill of Southern New England from 2013-2022 and since 2023 has collaborated with Hartsprings Foundation to coordinate Waste Not collection and donate as much as possible to the community. Wesleyan also collaborates with The Resource Center, Amazing Grace Food Pantry, Grad Bag, Eddy Shelter, and Better World Books to repurpose food, clothing, dorm essentials, and books.
Since 2009, via the proceeds from the Waste Not tag sale, we have raised $48,000 for local charities, environmentally-based projects, disaster relief, and Wesleyan sustainability programming.
- Apply to work Fall Waste Not
Are you interested in sorting STUFF? Love thrifting or garage sales? Want to be part of a great team and help carry on one of Wesleyan’s greatest traditions? Then apply to work for Waste Not! Waste Not is Wesleyan’s student-run fall tag sale. Join the volunteer team to help reduce waste, avoid capitalistic consumption, and provide affordable goods to other students.
Perks include:
- free housing starting Thursday 8/29
- free food on sale days
- first dibs on free stuff from Waste Not and discounts on big items
- opportunity to be PAID to help with move-in cardboard collection on 8/31 (optional - need to apply in Handshake when the job is posted)
You’ll move in on Thursday, August 29 and work about 20 hours between Friday, August 30 and Sunday, September 1 as well as 4 hours on Saturday, September 7. When you sign up for Waste Not, you’ll be required to work at all assigned shifts.
If you’re interested, fill out this form by Sunday, June 23 at 11:59 PM: https://forms.gle/7giYnxhwfAkN6GQC7! For the first time this year, Waste Not workers who are work-study eligible are eligible to be PAID for working Waste Not! To be paid for this role, you must have work study eligibility. If you do, please also apply for this role in Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/edu/jobs/9046781. All other applicants will be taken as volunteers.
Please email wesustainability@gmail.com with any questions.
- Fall Sale 2024
2024 Sale
Saturday, August 31 (12-3 PM) and Sunday, September 1 (10 AM - 1 PM)
Location 1 (Saturday ONLY): Garage behind 58 Fountain Ave. (couches, chairs, futons, other furniture)
Location 2: Garage behind 44 Brainerd Ave. (mini fridges, microwaves, lamps, mirrors, fans, electronics, kitchen appliances, hangers, decorations, school supplies, household items, rugs, and much more!
Items for Sale
Prices are subject to change. Please contact wesustainability@gmail.com for questions about pricing and what's available.
- Furniture: couches, loveseats, futons ($40-50), arm chairs ($30-40), dressers ($20-30), desks ($10-50), desk chairs ($5-20), bookshelves ($5-25)
- Refrigerators ($35-50)
- Microwaves ($20-25)
- Lamps: desk ($5-10), floor ($10-20)
- Electronics: TVs, speakers, printers, etc. ($5-30)
- Appliances: coffee pots, fans, electric kettles, rice cookers, blenders, etc. ($5-15)
- Hangers (20 for $1)
- Rugs ($15)
- Mirrors ($10-20)
- Bathroom items ($1-3)
- Kitchen items: dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, baking sheets, cups and mugs, water bottles ($1-5)
- Alarm clocks ($5)
- Books (including textbooks and course packs) ($1-15)
- School supplies (notebooks, binders, pens, rulers, art supplies, paper) ($1-5)
- Decorations: posters, wall hangings, knick knacks ($1-3)
- Spring Collection
Waste Not Spring Collection
What can I donate?
- Clothing, shoes, and hangers
- Bedding (sheets, towels, pillowcases, blankets, comforters; no pillows, egg crates, or mattresses)
- Furniture (couches, loveseats, futons, dressers, desks, chairs, bookshelves)
- Refrigerators
- Microwaves
- Lamps (desk and table)
- Electronics (TVs, speakers, printers, computers, phones, etc.)
- Appliances (coffee pots, fans, electric kettles, etc.)
- Bathroom items (shower caddies)
- Kitchen items (dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, baking sheets, cups and mugs, water bottles)
- Alarm clocks
- Books (including textbooks and course packs)
- School supplies (notebooks, binders, pens, rulers, art supplies, paper)
- Decorations (mirrors, rugs, posters, wall hangings, knick knacks)
- Food (unopened; no perishable items)
- Cleaning supplies (laundry detergent, Swiffers, brooms, vacuums, etc.)
Where and when can I donate?
Indoor/Outdoor donation bins: Monday, April 29 - Saturday, May 18
Donate smaller items here. Bring larger items to the Waste Not collection garage behind 44 Brainerd Ave (leave under the overhang on the left side of the garage.
Indoor
- 200 Church entryway
- Bennet laundry room
- Butterfield A outside the study room
- Butterfield B outside the laundry room
- Butterfield C outside the kitchen and laundry room
- Clark lounge
- Hewitt 9 next to kitchen
- Nics 5 lounge
- WestCo 3 lounge
- Hi Rise laundry room (this bin will be available through Monday, May 27)
- Fauver ground floor lobby (this bin will be available through Monday, May 27)
Outdoor
- Art/Film House Parking Lot
- Between 65/73 Pearl St.
- Parking lot between 255 Pine and 58 Fountain
- Back of LoRise C by parking lot (this bin will be available through Monday, May 27)
- Warren St. (truck on-street on Monday, May 27 only)
Saturday, May 18
Move-out day. Waste Not volunteers will be stopping at all indoor and outdoor donation bins and outside each dorm for larger donations. The 58 Fountain garage (furniture) and Hockey Rink (all other items) will be open all day to accept donations.
Sunday, May 19 - Sunday, May 26
Donate small items at outdoor donation bins or leave items under the overhang at the 44 Brainerd garage. Volunteers will accept donations in-person at the 58 Fountain garage (furniture) and Hockey Rink (all other items) on Saturday, May 25th from 3-5 pm and Sunday, May 26th from 2-5 pm. Early donations are much appreciated!
Monday, May 27
Senior move-out. Waste Not volunteers will be accepting donations at the 58 Fountain garage (furniture) and Hockey Rink (all other items) and at the remaining outdoor donation bins.
Outdoor Waste Not drop-off locations on Saturday, 5/20 (all residents move out)
Outdoor Big Brothers Big Sisters bins are at locations marked with *
- * Hewitt 8/9 circle
- * Nics 5/5.5, next to lounge
- * Bennet/Fauver driveway
- Clark driveway
- * Behind 44 Brainerd
- * Butts A/B/C on Lawn side
- * Low Rise parking lot
- between Low and High Rise
- * Between 65 and 73 Pearl
- * Parking lot next to Art/Film House (230 Washington)
- Parking lot behind Lotus House (356 Washington)
Open on Monday, 5/29 (seniors and other approved students move out)
Outdoor Big Brothers Big Sisters bins are at locations marked with *
- Bennet and Fauver driveway
- * Fountain/Pine backyard by garage
- * 44 Brainerd garage
- * Between 65 and 73 Pearl
- * Low Rise parking lot