Got stuff U don’t need? UD program can help

Graduation time or move-out day at the University of Delaware often leaves students with difficult decisions:  what to take, and what to leave behind.

Old furniture, couches, beds and electronics would often end up in landfills in the past.  However, a program now in its fifth year has already resulted in 500 tons of items being recycled or donated.

UDon’t Need It is now up and running through Saturday June 4th at the site of the old Curtis Paper Mill on Paper Mill Road.  The program is open to UD students and Newark landlords.

There’s a reason it’s being held this time of year, according to Assistant University Secretary Deb Hoff.

“Students are moving out from the university for the semester, and out of the rental houses in Newark,” Hoff says.  “So, this is an opportunity for them to come and bring their items to us that they feel are reusable — furniture, household goods, a lot of clothing and bedding.  We redirect them back out through the various charity networks that we have.”

Hoff adds, “often times it’s mom and dad saying ‘don’t bring that home, we don’t have room for it.'”

Volunteers are on hand daily this week and next, except for Memorial Day, to help unload items and sort them.  Local charitable organizations are the first to receive any donated items.  Remaining items are available for sale to the general public beginning May 31st.

Over the years, the UDNI program has resulted in 500 tons of items being diverted from local landfills, has assisted more than 200 families who received donations, and raised about 7,000 pounds of clothing, shoes and bedding for local charities.

Former UD student David Matushik helped to develop the program as a student, and now oversees it. 

“The past five years have been very successful in terms of diverting material from the landfill, helping out families, and keeping the City of Newark a lot cleaner than it used to be,” Matushik says.

To find out more about the UDon’t Need It program call 302-831-8498 or CLICK HERE.