One of the best ways to cut back on excess stuff is to find new homes for old belongings. Harvard offers a number of resources for reusing old furniture, books, clothes, office supplies, and more:
Staff Tools:
Where to Reuse around Campus and the Community:
Each Thursday, surplus furniture, supplies and equipment are distributed and received at the Harvard Recycling and Surplus Center, free to anyone on a first-come, first-served basis. The gates are open every Thursday, 11-2 PM at 175 N. Harvard Street in Allston.
If you are a Harvard office or department or local non-profit and will be taking away a truckload or more, we can open up another day by arrangement with Harvard FMO Recycling, 617-495-3042.
The Harvard Recycling Update usually lists free surplus goods and equipment each month.
The annual Habitat for Humanity Stuff Sale raises over $80,000 annually for the charity. Donate your belongings at the end of the spring semester—Harvard Recycling collects about 200 tons or over 200 truckloads each year—and stop by the tent outside the Science Center in the fall to find a bargain.
A Freecycle event! Numerous departments and schools host their own reuse events or stuff swaps throughout the year. Check our calendar to see if any freecycles are scheduled on your campus or contact your Green Team to see how you can set one up.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection lists several local reuse locations and lists.
