Movers encouraged to donate and recycle to reduce waste and mess

Recycling

Movers in 2012 donated clothes, household items, books and more to Goodwill. UW–Madison’s Office of Sustainability and WE CONSERVE are again teaming up with local organizations to promote donations and recycling.

Photo: Office of Sustainability

As the mid-August downtown leases turn over, overflowing dumpsters and buried curbs contain many items that can be reused or recycled.

In an effort to reduce landfill waste and increase community benefit, the UW–Madison WE CONSERVE program and Office of Sustainability are partnering with the City of Madison, Goodwill Industries, Society of St. Vincent de Paul and student organization REthink Wisconsin to collect and donate reusable items.

UW–Madison is again hosting “Donate and Take” sites where people can drop off usable goods or browse the donations for wanted items. St. Vincent de Paul and Goodwill donation centers will also be set up Aug. 11-14 at two campus-area parking lots and several downtown apartment buildings. Sites within apartment buildings are accessible only to building residents.

Most clean and usable items will be accepted, including clothing, shoes, books, household items, small appliances and nonperishable food. Unacceptable items include mattresses, box springs, futons, TVs and large appliances. Locations and hours for all sites are listed below — or call 608-501-7200 to schedule a pickup during moving days.

An e-waste recycling site will be set up in Lot 51 to accept working and nonworking electronics. Most items with a cord or batteries can be accepted, including computers, monitors, phones, small appliances and game systems. Unfortunately, TVs cannot be accepted.

The organizations are also soliciting volunteers to help staff the donation sites.

Drop-off locations (map):

Donate and Take: Witte Residence Hall (615 W. Johnson St.), UW–Madison Lot 41 (1820 University Ave.), St. James School (Milton and South Charter streets)
St. Vincent de Paul: UW–Madison Lot 51 (North Mills and Spring streets), U-Haul parking lot (602 W. Washington Ave.)
Goodwill: The Embassy, The Equinox, Pres House, Grand Central, 420 Gorham, X01, Humbucker, La Ville, Park Regent and Vantage Point apartment buildings
E-waste recycling site: UW–Madison Lot 51 (North Mills and Spring streets)

All sites will be open:

Aug. 11, 3-7 p.m.
Aug. 12, 1-7 p.m.
Aug. 13, 11-7 p.m.
Aug. 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Donate and Take sites will be open through Aug. 15 for people to claim donated items.