Catholic University is committed to reducing campus waste. The University strives to repurpose materials by redistributing them when possible and collaborating with local community organizations to place items no longer needed on campus into the hands of community members. The University also hosts several programs that encourage a reuse mindset for the students, staff, and faculty on campus. The following programs redistribute resources among our community members and reduce the amount of waste generated on campus.
Move Out Donation Drive
At the end of every semester, Catholic University hosts a move out donation drive for students to donate items they do not want to take home with them over the summer. These items are collected and offered to local organizations as well as back to students for free in Cardinal Closet and during the annual Reuse Market every August (more information below).
How to Participate:
- Clothing & small items (fall and spring): During the last week of the semester, donation bins are placed in every laundry room on campus.
- Large items (spring only): During move out weekend, donation drop-off stations are located in the CV Basketball Court and in between Flather and Opus.
- Bread for the City
- Cardinal Closet and Cardinal Cupboard in partnership with Campus Ministry
- The Cornerstone School in partnership with the Education Honors Society, Kappa Delta Pi
Reuse Market
At the start of every fall semester, Catholic University hosts a Reuse Market to offer all the items collected during the Move Out Donation Drive back to students for free. Items include drawers and shelves, room decorations, laundry baskets, school supplies, books, clothes and accessories, lamps, vacuums, rugs, and much more.
How to Participate:
- Visit the Kane Basketball Court during the event to find anything you might need for the semester.
Office Supply Swap
Every June, the Office of Campus Sustainability hosts an office supply swap for faculty and staff to donate items they no longer need. Every office on campus is invited to drop off items they no longer need and claim new items they do need for free. Announcements about dates and details are made in ThisWeek emails.
How to Participate:
- The first two hours of the event are dedicated for donation drop-offs.
- Once drop-offs are complete, visit the Pryz Food Court during the event to find anything you might need for your office.
During the year, if you have office supplies that are not owned by the University that you would like to part with, join the [email protected] Google group. Sign up (instructions) to receive notifications when others have items to share, and post your items to find them a new home.
Cardinal Closet
Cardinal Closet is a free thrift store located in McMahon B02. Open to all students, staff, and faculty, Cardinal Closet has a large collection of casual and business clothing, maternity clothing, shoes, and accessories. Everything is free and donations are encouraged.
How to Participate:
- Cardinal Closet is open during the fall and spring semesters. Check the Cardinal Closet webpage for current operating hours.
Cardinal Cupboard & Free Food Alert
Cardinal Cupboard, located in McMahon B05, is a food pantry available to all students, faculty, and staff. If you have any non-perishable items to donate, bring them directly to Cardinal Cupboard.
How to Participate:
- Cardinal Cupboard is open during the fall and spring semesters. Check the Cardinal Cupboard webpage for current operating hours.
If you are planning an event and expect to have leftover food, register your event with Free Food Alert, Catholic U's campus messaging platform to redistribute leftover food after events. Enrollment is simple; register online and reach out to [email protected] with any questions.