College Reuse Programs Divert Tons of Waste

Why this is here: The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s New2U program attracts up to 5,000 shoppers to its annual tag sale, offering discounted items and reinvesting the proceeds back into the program.

Alex Freid and his Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN) are helping colleges across the United States reduce waste from student move-outs. Freid began this work in 2010 at the University of New Hampshire, noticing the sheer volume of usable items discarded each spring. He founded PLAN, which now advises roughly 200 schools on creating student-led, zero-waste initiatives.

These programs collect unwanted furniture, clothing, and household goods, offering them to charities, thrifty students, or selling them at tag sales. The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s New2U program, for example, diverts over 100,000 pounds of material from landfills annually and generates up to $20,000 to reinvest in the program. While about half of US colleges now have similar programs, coordinating these efforts remains labor-intensive and requires significant preparation.

PLAN’s work extends beyond waste reduction, focusing on training students to become sustainability leaders. The organization continues to expand its reach and develop new resources for schools interested in adopting greener move-out practices.