Sustainable Move Out
Throughout the end-of-year move out week, the Office of Sustainability in collaboration with EH&S and the Housing Office, collects lightly-used, functional items to donate to local nonprofits in the area and our own Free Store. In an effort to divert as much as possible from the landfill, we also encourage students to recycle and compost while sorting through their move out items.
In 2023, we launched new partnerships to expand our capacity and reach. During Move Out week, Recycle Smart, Republic Services and Mount Diablo Resource Recovery help sort and transport all of our donations to local resource organizations. In 2023, our Move Out efforts diverted 6.7 Tons of donations from the landfill.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can be donated? Lightly used clothing, working appliances, kitchen & housewares, school supplies, and small furniture in good condition.
Where should I put my donated items? Large white donation bins (see map below) will be placed at 10 drop-off sites around campus.
Where can I recycle electronics, batteries, and ink? Saint Mary’s has several brown bins on campus to recycle small electronics: • In front of the Library • First floor De La Salle Hall • In front of Galileo Hall • First floor of the Business Office
What is the last day I can donate? Donation bins are only available during move-out week.
Where can I donate food? Please place nonperishable, unopened food in the designated box marked “food donations” in each of the 10 donation drop-off locations (see map below).
I heard I can donate my Seminar Readers and books, where do I put those? Yes! We will happily take your seminar readers and provide them to students next year. Please place your seminar readers and books in the designated box marked “seminar readers ” in each of the 10 donation drop-off locations (see map below).
What can I recycle and compost? Recycle (Blue Cart): Flattened cardboard, paper, empty plastic containers #1–7, empty glass bottles & jars, metal cans, etc. Compost (Green Cart): All food that can’t be donated should be composted. Uncoated food-soiled paper, such as napkins, paper plates and pizza boxes, can also go in the green cart. Please remove food from packaging!
This sounds fun! Can I volunteer? Yes, to help us throughout move-out week contact smcsustainability@stmarys-ca.edu
DONATION BIN LOCATIONS:
