University of Massachusetts Amherst
IN-1: Innovation 1

The New2U Reuse Collection and Tag Sale is a student-led program entering the second year in the 2014-2015 academic year. The first year was a smashing success. The program is supported by the Sustainability, Innovation & Engagement Fund and is a student-led reuse collection during the spring move-out and tag sale during fall move-in/first week festivities. This waste reduction program is a collaboration among the Physical Plant, Sustainable UMass student leadership, Residential Life, the Office of Waste Management, Moving Services, New Student Orientation, and the Post Landfill Action Network (PLAN) based in New Hampshire who provided membership consulting and support for the UMass campus. In the first year of operation, UMass Amherst students and sustainability staff collected more than 5 tons of materials from the Southwest Residential Area during move-out week. The items were stored in a classroom/laboratory over the summer and cleaned, organized, and priced by two student interns. The two day tag sale took place in the Student Union Ballroom on Labor Day weekend during move-in weekend and offered gently used, discounted furniture, storage, electronics, clothing, school supplies, dorm room decor, etc. An early bird special was available for shoppers from 8 AM - 9 AM on the first morning of the sale for a price of $5 (free for international students). The sale generated over $6,000 in revenue which was returned back to the Sustainability Fund for 2014-2015 projects. The Chancellor visited the tag sale and was extremely excited about the program, he even tweeted a photo of him with an international student who had purchased items for her dorm room. The project has been very instrumental in raising awareness with thousands of students and staff about waste issues and has helped elevate sustainability across campus.