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.
- Fall Sale 2023
2023 Sale
Saturday, September 2 (12-3 PM) and Sunday, September 3 (10 AM - 1 PM)
Location 1 (Saturday ONLY): Garage behind 58 Fountain Ave. (couches, chairs, futons, other furniture, rugs)
Location 2: Garage behind 44 Brainerd Ave. (mini fridges, microwaves, lamps, mirrors, fans, electronics, kitchen appliances, hangers, decorations, school supplies, household items, 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 2023
Waste Not Spring Collection
What can I donate?
- Clothing, shoes, and hangers
- Bedding (pillows, sheets, towels, pillowcases, egg crates; no 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?
Monday, May 1 - Monday, May 22, 2023: Indoor donation bins will be available in select lounges and laundry rooms:
- 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
- Fauver ground floor lobby
Monday, May 1 - Monday, May 22: Donate small items at the outdoor locations below (bins will be labeled "Big Brothers Big Sisters"). Dumpsters and recycling bins will be present at these locations. Bring larger items to the Waste Not collection garage behind 44 Brainerd Ave (leave under the overhang on the left side of the garage.
- Back of LoRise C by parking lot (bin will remain until 5/30)
- Fauver by Foss Hill Dr.
- Butterfields Lawn Ave. side
- Between Bennet/Nics 5 by Foss Hill Dr.
- Hewitt Circle
- Art/Film House Parking Lot
- Between 65/73 Pearl St.
- Behind 284 High St. in parking lot (bin will remain until 5/30)
Saturday, May 20: Move-out day. Waste Not volunteers will be stopping at all indoor and outdoor donation bins and outside each dorm for larger donations. Waste Not garages at 44 Brainerd and 58 Fountain will be open all day.
Sunday, May 21 - Sunday, May 28: Donate small items at outdoor donation bins, and bring larger items to 44 Brainerd garage (leave under the overhang if no one is there). Volunteers will accept donations from 3-5 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the 44 Brainerd and 58 Fountain garages. Early donations are much appreciated!
Monday, May 29: Senior move-out. Waste Not volunteers will be accepting donations at both 44 Brainerd and 58 Fountain garages 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