Two years ago, Temple created TUmove, a program to help students living off campus coordinate trash disposal when they move out. Now, Temple has expanded the program and increased its impact by partnering with the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
The partnership allows students to schedule pickups not just for their trash, but also for donations of reusable household items like furniture and appliances for the ReStore.
“In addition to utilizing dumpsters strategically stationed in the patrol area or scheduling a bulk trash pickup through TUmove, students will now be able to schedule a furniture donation pickup from Habitat for Humanity,” said Director of Sustainability Rebecca Collins.
The process for students will be largely the same as it has been for the last two years, with the slight difference that now they will be able to mark items for donation as well as for trash pickup. “Students can still follow the same process they always have for TUmove by signing up for a pickup date/time, and in the form, they can indicate whether they have items for donation, trash collection or both,” said Assistant Director for Off-Campus Living and Customer Service Leah Paulson Dunmire.
In the coming weeks, students living off campus within the patrol zone will receive a door hanger flyer with information on how to mark these items for donation. Students should keep in mind, though, that not every item needs to be labeled—if Habitat sees a usable item near the ones marked for donation, they’ll likely take it as well instead of letting it go to waste in a landfill.
Like the past two years, there are several options for trash pickup. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule pickup at least 48 hours in advance of their move-out date. Pickup will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the following date ranges:
Monday, May 12–Friday, May 23
Monday, June 23–Friday, June 27
Monday, July 14–Friday, August 15
Additionally, TUmove will provide dumpsters in specific areas from Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 23 and from Monday, July 14 through Friday, August 8. Students can bring their trash to any of the locations below. No registration is required.
1600 block of West Berks Street
1700 block of West Norris Street
1800 block of West Berks Street
1800 block of West Norris Street
Not only will the additions to the program help students to keep the neighborhood green, reduce their carbon footprint and find affordable furniture; it will also help create a more robust community of homeowners in Philadelphia. “The sale of donated furniture at ReStore locations in Philadelphia helps Habitat build new homes and complete critical home repairs in Philadelphia,” Collins said. “This is one way that students can help make affordable homeownership a reality for more Philadelphians.”
The donated furniture might even make its way back into the homes of Temple students. This fall, Temple’s Office of Sustainability plans to provide transportation for students to visit ReStore so that they can find affordable and sustainable items for their new apartments.
"By offering students the choice to donate instead of discard their furniture, we hope to keep more reusable items out of landfills and transform the busy move-out season into an opportunity for good," said Christopher Meder, Habitat Philadelphia ReStore director. "Every donation will be resold at one of our two ReStore locations, where all profits are invested into building and repairing homes alongside local families. This partnership's impact is twofold—environmental responsibility paired with community care—and we're proud to be a part of it."
The new addition to TUmove’s offering reflects Temple’s commitment to supporting its communities and setting an example of how to be a good neighbor, both here in North Philadelphia and in the larger global community.
“Temple is committed to climate action and sustainability and is continually evaluating opportunities to minimize negative environmental impact and improve the quality of life for members of our community,” Collins said.