Stacks of old furniture and used goods line up all around the Hoosier to Hoosier sale. Photo: Indiana University.
In the spirit of our “Green Gridirons” series (but just in case college football wasn’t your thing), the “Big Ten’s Eco Efforts” series highlights creative off-the-field sustainability efforts.
In the market for a karaoke machine or a piñata? What about a tie-dye lawn chair?
The Hoosier to Hoosier sale may provide you with exactly what you’re looking for.
It is a reuse program established in 2010 to prevent dorm furnishings from being taken to landfills during student move-out. Unusual items sometimes show up at the sale, something enjoyed by Emilie Rex, assistant director of sustainability at Indiana University.
“There is really fun stuff that comes through like crazy costumes, weird furniture, karaoke machines,” she said. “It’s one of the most delightful parts of the projects.”
Students can buy and sell more conventional items as well, such as couches, lamps, televisions and desks.
The idea is based on a similar event fellow Big Ten school Penn State does, said Rex. But there are differences.
“Penn State sells most of their stuff back to the outside community and our whole idea is to close the loop for students,” she said.
Most of the items come from residence halls, but student housing off-campus is also able to donate, Rex said.
The sustainability program inspects all items going on sale, Rex said. Most donations are sold. Those that are not are given to Goodwill.