An initiative of People Against Poverty of the Newman Center, the city’s Campus-City Relations Committee, and SUNY Oswego’s Residence Life and Housing Office will encourage students to donate rather than discard household and personal items as they prepare to leave town for the summer.

The reuse effort, called Leave Green, is seeking volunteers to help unload vehicles and sort items in the Swetman Gymnasium this week and next week.

Daytime and evening volunteers may sign up through the college’s Center for Community Service and Service Learning in the Campus Center. To volunteer, call Alyssa Amyotte at the center at 312-2505.

Items to be collected include clothing, linens, area rugs, kitchenware and countertop appliances, electronics, wood and metal furniture, office and school supplies, unopened cleaning products, unopened toiletries, and unopened, unexpired and nonperishable foods.

Last year Leave Green collected 4.85 tons of food, clothing and household items. On-campus students donated the majority of items, 93 percent.

One half ton of food was donated to local food pantries. The remaining 4.35 tons of clothing and household items were sorted and sold at the annual Newman Center garage sale or donated to the Rescue Mission.

Leave Green advances SUNY Oswego’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by diverting usable food, clothing and household items from the waste stream.

(Posted: May 06, 2013)