Schenectady, N.Y. – College students who move out and leave their trash behind have caused problems in some areas of the Capital Region. However, one local college is taking its leftovers and giving them to charity.
It's finals week at Union College. That means students moving out and leaving their stuff behind.
“Different pairs of shoes, jeans with a tag on it yet, a beanbag chair, a photo album, corkboards, carpets, a portable fooz-ball table,” were some of the things left behind, according to Director of Resident Life Doug Bazuin.
Many of those items, instead of ending up in the dumpster, are now going to charity. It is part of a new program at Union called “Dump and Run.”
“What we're asking is for students to donate those goods they don't want to take home. Bring them to the lounges. Those things will be donated to Bethesda House and Home Furnishings,” explained Viki Brooks-McDonald of the Protestant Campus Ministry.
Those are two Schenectady-area charities that will get the old clothing and furniture the students leave behind.
Sophomore Lesley Klein says it made more sense to donate her old blender and books to someone who would need them more.
“I have to fly home and I don't have room for it and I don't use that stuff anyway and it's better just to give it away,” Klein said.
The trash left behind by college kids has been a problem in some areas of the Capital Region. Just last week, the city of Albany handed out 122 fines. They went to property owners where college kids left junk on the curbs and created extra pickups for the city.
Union says “Dump and Run” makes sure that doesn't happen while also teaching students an important lesson about giving back.
“I think the main thing that's important to me is that the students are enthusiastic about the idea of using the goods that they no longer need that go to people who need them,” Brooks-McDonald said.