Last year, NYU donated over 34 tons of gently used items to Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ
New York University, partnering with Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ and City Harvest, is holding its 10th annual Green Apple Move Out (GAMO) collection drive for NYU Residence Halls from May 10, 2017 to May 22, 2017. Collection areas will contain designated bins for your gently-used books, clothing and shoes, food (unopened, please), linens, techno-scrap, bicycles, furniture and small appliances.
Last year, NYU collectively donated 68,628 pounds—some 34+ tons of re-usable items to Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ, ranging from clothes and blankets to mini-fridges. Additionally, over 400 pounds of canned and dry food goods were donated to a local food bank.
Over the past 10 years, the NYU-GAMO collection program has kept 100s of tons of re-usable material out of local landfills.
“The collection is a great demonstration of teamwork between facility managers, housing managers, residential education, NYU Recycling, and of course, the students,” said George Reis, NYU’s recycling coordinator. ”By partnering with Goodwill, we are able to include all of the residence halls, exponentially increasing the amount of items collected,” he said.
“As one of our largest single donors each year, NYU supports our mission of empowering individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment to gain independence through the power of work,” said Mauricio Hernandez, Executive Vice-President, Business Operations for Goodwill NYNJ. “The Goodwill Industries® social enterprise model is based on a triple bottom line: Our donated goods retail infrastructure helps fund our employment services and it also results in positive social and environmental outcomes for the global community."
Additionally, diverting tons of reusable goods annually from landfills represents a two-percent reduction in the University’s overall total outgoing trash, and saves over $10,000 in waste-hauling costs. For more information on NYU Recycling, please see www.nyu.edu/recycling
Coverage is invited. Interviews are available with program coordinators, involved students, and program director George Reis. Reporters should contact Christopher James, 212.998.6876 or christopher.james@nyu.edu.
About the NYU Office of Sustainability--NYU launched its sustainability efforts in 2006 with the creation of Sustainability Task Force formed by faculty, students, staff and administration to galvanize NYU community to plan and take action towards sustainability in the way we live, operate, educate and innovate. The Office of Sustainability implements infrastructure projects, communication and engagement campaigns, and innovative programs to empower, inspire and guide the NYU community to achieve our goals for sustainable practices and culture. For more information on the NYU Office of Sustainability, please visit www.nyu.edu/sustainability