ReUSE is a UC Berkeley program that functions to foster the spirit of reusing materials rather than throwing them away. In today’s disposable consumer society, it’s hard to reuse things without a system in place. ReUSE tries to create that system by making ReUSE stations on campus where students, faculty and staff can freely exchange reusable goods.
Don’t buy that brand new reader for your class just yet! Check out our once-a-semester Reader Giveaway to see if we have a used version of your reader – best of all, you’re saving money and reducing your carbon footprint by saving resources – how’s that for multi-tasking?
What: Spring Reader Giveaway
When: Tuesday 1/24
Time: 9:30 AM – 3 PM
Where: Main Sproul Plaza
Price: Free!
Why: We collect used readers from the res. halls and librarys during move-out in May, and sort and distribute to the campus community at the beginning of every semester.
We gave away a phenomenal supply of readers during our Fall Giveaway so our selection is not as extensive this semester. Come check us out anyway, you never know what you’ll find.
Watch out for our reader collection bins at the end of the semester so you can donate your used readers to keep the cycle going! Sign up on our mailing list for a reminder.
The ReUSE Program accomplished so much this past fall semester, and we couldn’t have done it without your support!
Our volunteers helped maintain and stock our campus stations, through which we diverted over 600 lbs. of binders, folders, and other supplies to the campus community! We even established 4 new stations: Sproul Hall, Tang Center, Lower Sproul / Student Store, and the Capital Projects Promenade.
We held 3 major events – our Fall Reader Giveaway, Second Chance Clothing Sale, and Campbell Hall “Free Days” diverted a total of over 45,000 lbs of readers, clothing and furniture!
To read more about our achievements this past semester, check out our Fall Summary here: Fall 2011 ReUSE Summary
Take your favorite person out to dinner this holiday season by winning an $80 Chez Panisse gift certificate from The Exchange! The Exchange, exchange.berkeley.edu, is UC Berkeley’s own online materials exchange where appliances, furniture, clothing and books are given away for free! All you have to do to enter is register for the site (using your Berkeley.edu email address, if you have not already) and post an item that you no longer want or need between November 28 and December 11. Not only will you be able to get rid of some of that stuff that is cluttering your space, you will also have the opportunity to go to the world-renowned Chez Panisse restaurant on us! This gift certificate is perfect for a holiday dinner for two, and also makes a nice gift. Make sure to check out exchange.berkeley.edu to enter!
During our three “Free Days” at Campbell Hall in late October, 400+ students, faculty, staff and community members participated and snagged some great gently-used desks, chairs, bulletin boards, and boxes of office supplies. In total, 28,747 pounds of reusables were given away for free to the campus community, amounting to over 14 tons of material diverted from the landfill!
We would like to thank Capital Projects, Campus Recycling & Refuse Services, and Building Sustainability at Cal, for providing support and assistance with this project.
If you would like to read more about our completed Campbell Hall project, check out our report below.
Last chance to get free office supplies and furniture from Campbell Hall!
Saturday, 10/22
11am – 3pm
Campbell Hall, UC Berkeley
We still have hundreds of binders, folders, assorted books and desk organizers, as well as large wooden desks and bulletin boards. Help us divert waste from the landfill, and score some great items for free!
Campbell Hall, the old astronomy building near LeConte and Evans, will be demolished in a few months – rather than have all the contents demolished with the building, let’s put 8 floors of perfectly good office furniture and supplies to reuse!
What: Free stuff in ASTRONOMICAL quantities!
When: Thurday (10/20), Friday (10/21), Saturday (10/22)
Time: 11am – 3pm each day
Where: Campbell Hall (just west of Pimentel)
Who: Campus students, faculty & staff on Thurs & Fri (bring Cal ID); Public Day on Saturday!
Why: Reuse, not landfill!
We have over 100 chairs, 50 desks, 300 binders, tables, bulletin boards, way too many folders and hanging files, some cool artwork and kitchen supplies, and lots more.
If you know of any outside organizations (schools, community centers, clinics, etc.) that may be interested, they can come on our Public Day on Saturday!
Please help spread the word, and check out our facebook event for more details: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135969136503044.
ReUSE: 2nd Chance Clothing Sale - TUES 9/20, WED 9/21, FRI 9/23 on LOWER SPROUL
It’s the fifth week of school- time to add to your wardrobe and promote reuse! Come to the fall semester 2nd Chance Clothing Sale, where everything is less than $5 each: t-shirts and classy shirts, old jeans and snazzy zoot suits, mini skirts and mumus, flip flops and leather boots- come check out our clothing sale on Lower Sproul! The clothing was collected during move-out in the res. halls when the students moved out last May, and all proceeds go directly to the ReUSE program on campus.
This sale promotes the ethics of reuse- we are being sustainable by saving resources and diverting waste from the landfill. Saving perfectly good items from the landfill, all while bringing you only the best in UC Berkeley fashion. Only ReUSE.
When: Sept 20, 21, 23 (Tues, Wed, Fri)
Time: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Where: Lower Sproul
Why: It’s cheap and sustainable! (and it’s time to refresh your wardrobe)
Check out our facebook event page, and invite your friends!
Looking for a way to get involved with waste reduction efforts on campus? Want a paid internship with Campus Recycling & Refuse Services? Apply now for these great opportunities (deadlines are approaching!):
Waste Reduction & Recycling Intern:
These 3 positions will be working under Campus Recycling & Refuse Services. Responsibilities include waste reduction, recycling, reuse, outreach, and education programs in buildings and grounds across campus. These positions will engage in activities to increase the amount of recyclables diverted from the landfill. Physical Plant Campus Services (PPCS) will fund these positions using recycling revenues. Position entails giving presentations, tabling, outreach, coordinating volunteers and student staff, event planning, waste assessments, audits, material pickups, and clean ups. These duties are all vital to assure a higher recycling rate and decreased contamination. We will be hiring three PAID positions ($11 / hour, expected 5 – 10 hours/week). Work study is available.
To Apply: Email ucberkeleyreuse@gmail.com with your resume and a paragraph about why you are interested in this position. Deadline is FRIDAY 9/16!
Web Design Intern:
Campus Recycling and Refuse Services (CRRS) is looking to redesign its website (recycle.berkeley.edu) and wants to hire an intern for the 2011-2012 academic year. The position is paid, and work study is available.
To apply, please email ucberkeleyreuse@gmail.com with a cover letter and resume, highlighting your computer/design experience, as well as your other commitments for this school year. Deadline to apply is WED 9/21!
We encourage all students to apply. Contact us if you have any questions!
Our Reader Giveaway in late August was a huge success. During this 2-day event, we gave away hundreds of gently-used readers to the campus community, and diverted over 2,800 lbs of paper!
Thanks for participating in our Reader Giveaway event!
