Move Out Mindfully
Moving out can be crazy and stressful but we think it is the best time to make a difference for the community (and earth)! Luther's move out week has historically generated the most waste of any week during the year but that is changing.
In 2023, the Move Out Mindfully program diverted 18.2Â tons of waste from the landfill during move out week! This includes:
- 21,163 pounds of recyclables recovered, including books, scrap and refrigerators
- 461 pounds of food for the food pantry & Little Free Pantry on campus
- 12,787 pounds of donations to area thrift stores
- 415 pounds of donated books
- 860Â pounds of compost to the college farm
- 398 pounds of office supplies donated to students for reuse
- 329 pounds of good items (refrigerators, furniture) donated to students
When moving out, move out mindfully. The landfill should be the last option. Before you bury something forever, think about whether it could be recycled or reused.
We need your help to reduce waste!
During move out, donation rooms are located in every residence hall on campus. Sort your items into the appropriate categories when donated, according to the signs on the wall. Donations are picked up daily by the Depot Outlet during move out week.
- Olson: 1st Floor Lounge
- Larsen: Main Lounge
- Farwell: 1st Floor Entrance
- Miller: Ground Floor Lounge
- Dieseth: Ground Floor Lounge
- Brandt: Ground East Lounge
- Ylvisaker: Game Room
- Baker Village: Baker Commons
- College Apartments: Below Front Stairs (small items), Back Parking Lot (all furniture)
- Prairie Houses: Sustainability House Garage
How to Move Out Mindfully
Though the landfill may seem like the most convenient option, Luther is doing it’s best to make recycling and donating simple during the move-out process. The Center for Sustainable Communities provides guidance on recycling and donating.
Recycling
- Futon Frames – scrap metal – place next to dumpster in designated area and items will be collected for recycling
- Broken Electronics and Appliances (anything with a cord) – place next to dumpster in designated area and items will be collected for recycling.
- Paper, Plastics, Metals, Cardboard – Place in outdoor recycling area near your residence hall.
Donation Categories
Any items that fall under these categories can be brought to one of the donation room locations during move out.
- Furniture
- Clothing and shoes
- Working electronics and appliances (fans, lamps, lights, refrigerators, etc.)
- School supplies and books
- Food—unopened and non-perishable
- Laundry detergent and toiletries—shampoo, conditioner, body wash, mouth wash, lotion
- Room decorations
- Batteries and cell phones—place in box in donation room for recycling (these items are banned from the landfill)
- Hangers
- Plastic film
- Linens—bedding, towels, sheets, etc.
Landfill Last
The landfill should be your last option when moving out. Examples of items that should go to the landfill include:
- Unusable furniture
- Wet, stained or moldy clothes, linens or rugs
- Opened or perishable food
- Glass
- Anything that cannot be recycled or donated