Goodwill, Not Landfill

Lighten your load while supporting a local nonprofit

During Move Out, BU diverts tons of items from the trash, from clothing to furnishings to kitchen items. Since the program began in May 2009, we have saved several hundred tons of material from landfills and incinerators. Let’s continue this legacy by helping BU Sustainability, Residence Life, BU Student Wellbeing, and Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries collect used items for reuse. If you're ready to say goodbye to some of your belongings, consider what might be used again and make a plan to bring it to one of our convenient donation locations. Help us donate more than last year (120,000lbs)!

Spring 2024 Dates:

Thursday, May 2nd through Move-Out

New this year

For the Spring 2024 Goodwill, Not Landfill program, there are a few new changes.

  • BU Food Pantry Drop-Off: Non-perishable, unopened food items and toiletries will be collected at all major residence halls. All of these items will be donated to the BU Food Pantry.
  • Textile Recycling: There will be a separate bin at every donation location for you to recycle dirty, stained, and ripped items.
  • South Campus Drop-Off Locations: This is a new pop-up donation program happening for South Campus and Off-Campus residents. See the section below for more details.

What do I do with my stuff?

There are multiple donation bins at Goodwill, Not Landfill. These bins help separate items out and make it easier to donate and recycle during move-out.

  • Goodwill: clothing, shoes, accessories, small appliances, small furnishings, housewares, kitchenware, décor, etc.
  • BU Food Pantry: unopened non-perishables, individually packaged foods
  • Textile Recycling: ripped, dirty, stained clothing, all bedding & blankets, pillows
  • Mattress Pads & Toppers
  • Food Waste (only on South Campus): Any expired, packaged, or unpackaged food waste, all perishable food.
  • Large Furniture (only on South Campus): Any large furniture, couches, etc.

For more information on what can be donated and how to sort your items, please refer to this document.

Donation Locations

Look for the donation bins located at these buildings. All locations listed will have a Goodwill, Textile Recyling, BU Food Pantry, and Mattress Pads & Toppers donation bins unless noted.

West Campus (Rich, Sleepter, Claflin): Drop-off stations are located inside each building on the main floor just beyond the security desk.
Warren Towers: 1 drop-off station located on the 4th floor in the lounge near the elevator & vending machines.
Myles Standish: 1 drop-off station located on the main floor back hallway near the bike room.
Kilachand Hall: 1 drop-off station located inside the main entrance to the left.
The Towers: 1 drop-off station located on the main floor in the recycling alcove.
1019 Comm Ave: 1 drop-off station on the main floor just beyond the security desk.
Danielsen Hall: 1 drop-off station located in the basement lounge area.
10 Buick Street: 1 drop-off station located on the lower-level floor across from the Residence Life office.
33 Harry Agganis Way: 1 drop-off station located on the first floor in the main lobby (back right corner).
Hojo: 1 drop-off station located on the main floor to the right under the stairs.
Fenway Campus: Located in the campus center (150 Riverway) on the first floor in the main lobby.
South Campus (indoor location): Located in the basement of 516-522 Park in the mail room area.
890 Commonwealth Ave (CELOP): Located on the 2nd floor of the building
Medical School Residence: Open April-August. Bins are located in the basement laundry room.

South Campus Pop-Ups

New this year, Goodwill, Not Landfill will include outdoor tent locations where residents of South Campus and BU students who live off-campus can donate items during move-out. Each pop-up location will include donation bins for Goodwill, Textile Recycling, Mattress Pads & Toppers, and the BU Food Pantry. In addition, students will be able to dispose of:

  • Food Waste: Any expired, packaged, or unpackaged food waste, all perishable food.
  • Large Furniture: Any large furniture, such as couches and desks.

These pop-up donation stations will be open on five different dates during move-out. See below for a map and a list of the locations.

  • Thursday, May 9th from 11 am-3 pm
  • Friday, May 10th from 11 am-3 pm
  • Saturday, May 11th from 11 am-3 pm
  • Sunday, May 19th from 6 pm-10 pm
  • Monday, May 20th from 8 am-1 pm

Pop-up tent locations:

  • 516-518 Park Drive – OUTSIDE Behind the building near the recycling
  • 48-52 Buswell St – OUTSIDE In front of the building
  • 14 Buswell St – OUTSIDE In front of the building
  • 515 Park Drive – OUTSIDE In the parking space behind

Bike Storage and Surrender

For those who wish to leave their bike or scooter at BU over the summer, the BU Cycle Kitchen now offers SASS (Storage and Surrender Service). Stored bikes will be able to be picked up in September. Bring your bike or scooter from 1:00-5:00 pm on the dates below.

Storage and Surrender:

  • May 3rd, 4th, 10th, and 11th at 820 Commonwealth Ave (Booth Theater Plaza).

Surrender Only:

  • May 18th and 19th with Sustainability at their Goodwill, Not Landfill Tents on South Campus (see tent locations above)

If you’re not returning to campus, surrender your bike at the same days and times and the BUCK will make sure it gets put to good use. For more information, go here.

Related Projects

View More