Shannon Hughes, a senior film major, was always struck by the pile of abandoned dorm furniture and assorted items tossed out by new students at the end of the school year. It seemed there should be a more thoughtful way to handle the shower caddies, laundry baskets, hangers, and various lamps that inevitably ended up in the dumpster.
In spring 2024, Hughes decided to put her learning from a course called “Waste Fraud” to good use.
With a true passion for the project, she enlisted friends to assist her in organizing a pop-up swap shop at her university before the fall semester kicked off. “I grew up in Vermont, where sharing things you don’t need becomes a community activity,” she shared, reflecting on how this endeavor makes her feel like she’s positively impacting others.
This Saturday, Hughes is set to host the second annual “free sale” at the university’s Center Building, offering items to anyone with a school ID. From essential dorm supplies to quirky finds like fish-shaped staplers and even leather whips, there’s a fascinating mix of items on offer.
“We thought someone might appreciate even the oddest things left behind,” she explained, alluding to the variety of eclectic items that would be available.
To join in on the efforts, others at the university are also launching similar initiatives this year. For instance, a “Swap Shop” event at NYU, organized by various departments with help from students, took place from August 23rd to August 30th. Students with valid IDs could browse through over 5,000 items collected from the dorms, value estimated around £20,000.
Shoppers will find a treasure trove of goods, from hangers and bed risers to microwaves and even costume pirate outfits. Kate Kobregard, a junior assisting in the planning, noted that many items came from a closed grocery store, saying they were “dirty and dusty” but still perfectly usable.
Community support has been key, Kobregard noted, mentioning a local man who contributed quality clothes and furniture from a vintage store. She’s also made it a habit of collecting discarded items like office chairs during her summer commutes.
According to a nonprofit statistic, a typical college student generates approximately 640 pounds of waste each year, often accumulating as they prepare to leave their housing. Hughes hopes to lessen this impact, voicing concerns about the sheer volume of waste generated, especially with 10,000 students at their institution. “That’s a staggering £6.4 million in garbage,” she remarked, expressing her desire for change driven by her Vermont upbringing, where reusing and recycling are commonplace.
As for one NYU student, there’s a special hope to reclaim a mistakenly donated item. Kobregard shared a story about a t-shirt featuring a cat pun that was inadvertently given away, with the original owner now on a quest to get it back. “I really hope he finds it,” she added, capturing the whimsical nature of these events.
