web exclusive: Don’t Trash that Treasure
At the end of the year, after Bobcats pack up to head out for the summer–whether it be back home or to the working world–there’s sure to be a gross amount of furniture, appliances, clothing and food that are no longer needed or wanted. Students’ first thoughts might be to trash these miscellaneous items, but the junk they’re tossing could be immensely helpful to folks around the community. Several businesses are looking to provide that help, and they urge students to donate their possessions rather than trash them.
In April 2008, the Athens’ Goodwill opened on East State St. One of the more popular of the thrift stores, Goodwill helps the Athens community by having lower priced items available for those who possess a lower budget, Melissa Douglas, Assistant Manager of the Athens Goodwill, said.
“Donations help the community where students live throughout most of the year,” Douglas said. “With Goodwill, what they don’t use or don’t want, instead of going to a landfill, is reused and redistributed back to the community.”
According to Douglas, the majority of the customers who come into the Goodwill are hoping to find furnit
ure to take home. To help promote student donations, at the end of spring quarter there will be a Goodwill truck uptown collecting donations to take to the store. Last year, Douglas said that there were a couple of trucks full of furniture, and she estimates that that furniture didn’t last more than two weeks in the store. She hopes that people will continue to donate this year, and not throw away useable items.
“A lot of people put these useable items in the trash, and if our collectors try to pick them up they could get into trouble, because it’s illegal to go through people’s trash,” Douglas said. “If, instead, people would donate these items, than this wouldn’t be a problem.”
Fliers regarding the Goodwill truck’s location at the end of the year will be posted uptown closer to the end of spring quarter.
Many thrift stores seem to have everything except the kitchen sink. All except for Reuse Industries, located in 2 locations – off of Columbus Road and in Albany – which may, indeed, have the kitchen sink. Where other stores accepting donations may have furniture and small appliances like microwaves and toaster ovens, Reuse Industries prides itself on having all sorts of needed items such as sinks, tubs, stovetops, washing and drying machines and refrigerators in addition to furniture, clothing and smaller appliances all at affordable prices.
“Since our inception in 1995, we’ve processed more than 7.6 million pounds of used materials,” said Cathy Wilson, Executive Director of Reuse Industries. “When you consider that our items are sold at around 25% of what they would cost new, and then look at our total sales figure from our inception to the end of December, which is around 2.16 million, that means that you could triple that number and that is how much we have saved the community. That is money that is going to pay for food, or utilities or other necessities. “
Wilson says that student moveout is always a very big deal for donation centers around Athens. She estimates that Reuse Industries collected around 70,000 pounds of used materials from students last year.
“It used to be that students would just throw items away,” Wilson said. “Lately things are much better. Students are donating more than they used to, and we’re much better at helping students understanding that we need to be available and to educate and encourage them (students) to call us ahead of time and prepare ahead of time so that they can donate more instead of having their things thrown out.
In addition to donation drop-offs, Reuse Industries also provides donation pick-ups. Within the Athens community, these pick-ups are usually free of cost. The thrift store, which houses clothing and smaller items, is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. “The farm,” where Reuse Industries originated from, houses the larger items such as furniture and appliances is open Saturday’s from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
At the end of the year, when Bobcats pack up and prepare to leave Ohio University, it is important to realize that there are more options for left over furniture, appliances and clothing than simply dragging them to the curb. With donation centers around Athens stationing trucks, free pick-ups and a willingness to work around student schedules, why not donate? Not only is it easier than ever, it is all in support of the community that has supported students throughout their college career.
Visit the nearest donation facility and spruce up a local’s life:
Goodwill
743-D East State Street
Athens, OH 45701
740.592.4105
Reuse Industries Main Facility (Farm)
74815 U.S. Highway 50
Albany, OH 45701
740.698.8200
Reuse Industries Thrift Store
100 Columbus Road
Athens, OH 45701
740.594.5103
–Photos by Katie McCue
Direct link: http://backdropmag.com/features/web-exclusive-dont-trash-that-treasure/