I know I know... final projects are due, papers need to be handed in, and exams are getting started. So the last thing on your mind is how to be sustainable when all this is done and you head home for the summer. But, like many things in life, little bit of planning can go a long way. So by taking just a hot second to look over this list, you can do some real good for the planet and your community.
So this list isn't going to focus on how you travel (although if you are travelling under 500 km, consider the train instead of the plane), instead it is going to focus on what to do with all the stuff you accumulated and can't take with you when you leave.
Yes, we all sometimes get more stuff then we need... no judgement here. This list will help you figure out the best way to get that stuff out into the world so it can help others.
Now one option you can consider before giving things away is storing it for the summer. If you know that you are going to be back in the Fall and still want your stuff, storage is a leggit option. There are external companies you can try, but the University also has a storage service that will cost you about $60 for the summer... not too bad an option if it works for you.
FOOD
There are lots of ways you can get rid of food you don't think that you are not going to be able to use before you leave. But don't be so quick to put it in a garbage bin. Food in the landfill creates methane (which is 20 times worse then CO2) and it doesn't do what is was meant to do which is feed people. Consider some of these options before you toff your food.
- The uOttawa Food Bank is a great option to donate your non perishable food items. They are located in the basement of the UCU, so they are right on campus. Unfortunately, they will only take unopened packages.
- St Joes Supper table takes food donations and prepares meals for needy folks in Sandy Hill. The nice thing about them is that they are located right beside the campus on Laurier and they will take any good and non-spoiled foods. So you can sometimes donated opened packages if they are still in good shape (like pasta or rice).
- You can also host a going away potluck with your friends. Everyone can get together and help finish the leftover food. Pasta salads, chips and dips... the options are endless and your food will go to your friends.
BOOKS
It is really easy to just dump your textbooks in a recycling bin or it is really tempting to keep your textbooks for years and years after you graduate (I am actually guilty of that one). But it turns out that you can't just drop textbooks in a recycling bin. Most recycling companies, if not all, won't accept them books anymore. And those textbooks you are hoarding for some future imaginary use... well they could do a lot more good in the hands of someone who could use them today.
- Resell your textbooks to the uOttawa Bookstore or through the uOttawa Facebook group . You can also use other external sources like Kijiji but they can be a bit harder to manage.
*Pro tip, if you want to sell something on campus but you are worried about your personal safety, arrange to sell your items at the Protection Office. - Textbooks for Change is also a great option if you want your textbook to go help people in Africa. There are several locations on campus to drop off your books and your donation really helps others in need.
- And of course there is the Free Store, who will take of of your books whether they are textbooks or not. You can drop your stuff off in the in our donation bin in the CRX building.
CLOTHES
As many of you are probably aware now, fashion and the textile industry are actually becoming very heavy contributors to the climate crisis. Not to mention that the textile industry has not had the greatest track record when it comes to human rights. So by donating your clothing after you are done, you can have people and the planet!
- Before you leave, you can host a Swap party! This is a great way to get rid of clothing you don't want anymore and maybe pick-up a few things that you do want. Of course you might not want to pick-up any new items so make sure to invite people staying in Ottawa to the party.
- You can also sell your clothes as well. There are a few consignment or vintage stores that might take your stuff (Trove, Plato's Closet, etc...), but there are other sites like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace that might be easier to access.
- Yes, of course we are mentioning the Free Store again, but for good reason. There are many places that will take your clothing donations, but often these groups will throw out clothing that they don't think that they can sell. Value Village is a group notorious for not necessarily using all the donations they receive. Whereas the Free Store gives away almost every single thing it receives.
FURNITURE
Furniture is probably the trickiest thing on the list. Because of it's size and the amount of effort it can take to move furniture, not many groups will take it. There are a few second hand stores you could reach out to (like the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul), but be warned... they are very picky about the furniture they take. Unfortunately the Free Store doesn't take large furniture because of a lack of space... sorry
- Helping With Furniture is a volunteer-run group that operates a free weekly pick-up service for furniture donations to refugees and other displaced people, including people at risk of homelessness or relocating from shelters. The pik-up service can be tricky because it is volunteer run so know that it might take a bit of time.
- Matthew House Ottawa's Furniture Bank provides furniture free of charge to low-income individuals and families, including refugees. They operate a pick-up service starting at $60 for your donated furniture. A tax receipt is available if you ask for one.
- House to home is the last group on our list that will take furniture and can pick up your furniture but they are also done by volunteers. They do have a drop off location if you can get some of your furniture to them.
- Kijiji is probably your best option if you can't get furniture picked-up and you want someone to come get the furniture from you.
EVERYTHING ELSE
To make this last one easy on you... we are suggesting that you just bring everything else to the Free Store. The store works with other charity groups around the City to donate your materials as well as offering them to people on campus. If you really don't have time to sort or sell your stuff, the Free Store is the easiest way to go.
Well that's it for our list. It can be really stressful at the end of the academic year but hopefully this list will make it easier for you to get rid of your stuff responsibly. Every year in April, additional donation bins are available in almost every residence. And as we mentioned, check out our move-out guide for more great tips!
If you do have questions, our office is happy to try to help you out as best we can. If we can keep these materials out of the landfill, we can help those who need these materials and ideally getting some green guilt off your plate.
~jonathan rausseo - campus sustainability manager