That’s the idea behind Swap Shop, an effort at the University of Louisville to recycle old clothing, school and office supplies, decorations, books, DVDs, electronics and other things students commonly keep in their dorm rooms.
UofL students, faculty and staff are invited to join in the effort, which will culminate in a weeklong swap meet in both the Swain Student Activities Center Multipurpose Room and Red Barn April 22–28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Everyone on campus is invited to come browse the goods. Those who find things they can use can take them away for free.
The event is taking place at the end of the school year for a reason, said one of its organizers, Anna Roeder, a sophomore who chairs UofL’s Housing and Residence Life Green Committee.
“Right before the end of spring semester, our dumpsters are filled to the brim with stuff students are throwing away,” she said. “We thought it would make sense to see if others might be able to use the items.”
In a test run, Roeder and volunteers from UofL’s housing and student activities offices displayed some donated items at a booth at EarthFest outside the Red Barn on April 15. Students claimed about half of them.
Items donated so far include kitchen utensils, file folders, purses, a camping chair, hiking shoes, the entire collection of Twilight books, unused ink cartridges and a video camera.
People who have items to donate to Swap Shop can drop them off in boxes placed around Belknap Campus. The boxes are located in the lobbies of most residence halls, the Cultural Center, J.B. Speed Hall, the Red Barn and the SAC, Roeder said.
All donated items should be clean, and food is not being accepted, she said. Large items such as pieces of furniture should be dropped off at the Red Barn.
“This is a chance for us to dispose of our disposable culture and get in the habit of sharing our bounty,” said Justin Mog, assistant to the provost for sustainability initiative.
People with questions can call 852-5787 for more information.