Move-Out Madness event aims to reduce furniture abandoned in neighborhoods

Western Washington University and the City of Bellingham will once again partner on a year-end event to help students sort their unwanted materials generated from moving out.

Bins for reusable household items, clothing, non-perishable food, recyclable materials, and landfill waste will be available at three sorting stations in neighborhoods near the university from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, June 12, as part of this Move-Out Madness event.

Previous years' events have reduced the number of abandoned items left in neighborhoods and diverted many pounds of recyclable and reusable items from the landfill.

"Moving out can be stressful and wasteful given the large amount of stuff accumulated throughout the year," said Jacob de Guzman, previous Zero-Waste Coordinator for the Office of Sustainability. "Move-Out Madness provides all the necessary resources so students can sort their unwanted goods properly and begin their summer on the right foot."

Three neighborhood locations will be available around Western from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, June 12. The locations are:

  • Franklin Park in the York Neighborhood (400 block of Whatcom Street);
  • Laurel Park in the Sehome Neighborhood (Laurel & Indian St.);
  • 26th & Douglas in the Happy Valley Neighborhood.

The Office of Sustainability is recruiting volunteers to assist with the event. A training session will be provided for volunteers right before the event by Office of Sustainability staff. Those interested in volunteering should contact Gwen Larned at gwen.larned@wwu.edu.