2017 Dodge the Dump

The final week of classes are an exciting and busy time at Georgia College, especially for our students. They are conquering their finals, signing up for summer classes, lining up jobs, and, of-course, moving out of their dorm rooms. Unfortunately, the move-out process generates a lot of waste; and not all of it is trash. Dodge the Dump was created in the Spring of 2017 to divert gently used items from the waste bins on campus and into the hands of people within the Milledgeville community who need them.

Fig. 1. 2017 Dodge the Dump Flyers.

Dodge the Dump is a collaborative campaign planned by members of the Offices of Sustainability, Housing, Operations and Maintenance, and Fraternity and Sorority Life as well as the GIVE Center. Starting on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, cardboard bins were placed inside the Central Campus residence halls for students to donate food, cleaning supplies, and clothing and miscellaneous items. On Thursday, May 4, and Friday, May 5, donation stations were set up at the same residence halls. These stations were staffed by volunteers who encouraged students to donate, and not dump, their items and provided students with a location to place larger items such as furniture, in addition to other donations.

Fig. 2. Some of the items collected at Parkhurst Hall.

Fig. 3. Donated items being collected by a local non-profit.

The full impact of Dodge the Dump is still being tallied; but, based on early indicators, the 2017 effort was successful. At least 310 items, including futons, cleaning supplies, food, refrigerators, microwaves, lamps, and clothes, were donated. The items were picked up by Milledgeville Cares, the Life Enrichment Center, Comfort Farms/Stag Vets Inc., the Milledgeville Community Garden Association, and the Salvation Army to be used within the Milledgeville community. Members of these organizations so far have explained that the “experience was wonderful,” that “the event went extremely well,” and that the donations will “help those in dire need in our community.”

Dodge the Dump was a worthwhile, but large, undertaking requiring extensive planning and volunteer assistance. It is hoped that future efforts can be expanded to more locations on campus; and we already have many ideas to make future efforts run more smoothly and successfully. If you are interested in helping or have any questions about Dodge the Dump, please contact sustaingc@gcsu.edu.