A More Sustainable Move-In: Q&A with Trash 2 Treasure

This year, the fall Trash 2 Treasure yard sale is back! Trash 2 Treasure (T2T) is a student-run organization that collects items donated from students at move-out each spring for a big, move-in yard sale each fall. They have mini-fridges, microwaves, dishes, decorations, school supplies, lamps, fans and more!

In the more than ten years since its founding by environmentally-conscious UNH students, T2T has diverted more than 174 tons of waste from landfills and saved students over half-a-million dollars in move-in expenses. As a student-run event, T2T relies on volunteers like environmental conservation and sustainability major Phoebe Adame ’23, this year’s coordinator. I talked with her about work as The Sustainability Institute’s zero-waste intern and the importance of T2T’s efforts on UNH’s sustainability goals.

Q: How does T2T’s efforts contribute to UNH’s focus on sustainability?
A: Our goal is to save as many items from going to the landfill as possible. Buying things new is definitely not the only option.

Q: What’s something special that you’ve seen T2T provide to a student or donor?
A: We talk to students, and they'll say, “Oh I got this from Trash 2 Treasure.” People know where they got it from and they know that it’s from a good cause.

Q: What are you most excited about for this year’s yard sale?
A: We made the event more efficient. We now have rolling shelving units, which will contribute to the speed of the program and allow us to have pop-up sales. We’re hoping to have smaller-scale sales in the MUB (Memorial Union Building) throughout the semester.

The details: This year’s Trash 2 Treasure yard sale will take place in the MUB balcony rooms (330-340) on August 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and August 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a $5 early bird special at 8 a.m. on August 27.

Want to get involved? T2T is looking to fill volunteer spots for this year’s yard sale. You can sign up for shifts here.