Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 48.98
Liaison Dennis Gillis
Submission Date July 30, 2012
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.1

Saint Mary's University
OP-T2-43: Move-Out Waste Reduction

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.25 / 0.25
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a program to reduce residence hall move-out waste?:
Yes

A brief description of the program:

The Halifax Dump and Run is a worthwhile environmental and social justice initiative organized annually by Dalhousie University graduate students in partnership with Saint Mary's University, and other community groups on the Halifax peninsula. Dump and Run is an annual event now in its tenth year and is currently under the responsibilities of the Dalhousie Net Impact Chapter and Saint Mary's University Environmental Society (SMUES).

Both the Dalhousie Net Impact Chapter and SMUES has taken a keen interest in fostering the idea of environmental responsibility, with the Dump and Run as our featured event. This event is an oversized community garage sale held at the end of April or the start of May. The main purpose of this event is to divert waste from the local landfills and neighbouring streets. As a recycling and waste diversion project, it is an enormous success. In 2009 nearly 8 metric tons of goods, furniture, clothing, books, and other items were sold at the Dump and Run in lieu of being sent to landfill.

Apart from its environmental value, the Dump and Run also makes a valuable contribution to the community through the distribution of funds and non-perishable food items to local marginalized groups. In 2011 the Dump and Run, held in the Studley Gym at Dalhousie University, raised over $8500. All proceeds from the event go to local non-profit and charitable groups.

Every year the Dump and Run relies on the donations of gently used items by residents of the HRM to be sold at the event. Donations are crucial to ensure the continued success of this event. People living in residence are able (and encouraged) to drop off their unwanted items rather than just simply toss them out

Acceptable Items

Acceptable donations include, but are not limited to, the following items:
· Clothing
· Working electronics (only those accepted by ACES*)
· Furniture**
· Cookware
· Household items
· Books
· Toys
· Sporting equipment (not including safety equipment)

*For a list of accepted electronic products, please refer to this website: http://www.acestewardship.ca/ns/product-list-fees.asp


We ask that donations, particularly clothing, be cleaned prior to drop off. We would also like to note that Dump and Run personnel have the right to refuse items if they are: electronics not accepted by ACES, safety gear (including helmets and car seats), mattresses and upholstered furniture, and any items deemed unsanitary or otherwise unsellable.


Donation Drop-Offs
Each year we will designate a main drop-off location, usually at Saint Mary's University, open during April.

Donation Pick-Up

A pick-up option will also be available for larger items in the HRM. When requesting pickup, please email us a list of items, your address, and phone number. You will then be contacted after mid-April with a date and time for curbside donation pickup. Pick-up requests will not be accepted the week before the sale and individuals will be asked to drop items off at the Dalhousie Studley Gymnasium. Thank you for your cooperation!

Monetary donations are more than welcome and will be accepted until the day of the Dump and Run.


The website URL where information about the program is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.