Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.18
Liaison Ezra Small
Submission Date Feb. 5, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Massachusetts Amherst
IN-1: Innovation 1

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Ezra Small
Sustainability Manager
Physical Plant
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
New2U Reuse Collection and Tag Sale

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome :

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.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
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A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of 5):
Yes or No
Curriculum No
Research No
Campus Engagement Yes
Public Engagement No
Air & Climate No
Buildings No
Dining Services No
Energy No
Grounds No
Purchasing No
Transportation No
Waste Yes
Water No
Coordination, Planning & Governance No
Diversity & Affordability No
Health, Wellbeing & Work No
Investment No

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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