1. What’s Next?
Our next step is to increase our Trash to Treasure team,
by first optimizing each coordinator’s role, and then
adding a third coordinator. The purpose is to have one
coordinator focus on the Logistics of the events, another
focus on all Marketing efforts, and have the third (new)
one focus on Communication with partnered recyclers and
charities, but also on volunteer recruitment/events.
To further optimize our storage space, sorting events are
necessary at the storage. These events would be focused
on having volunteers help us sort out the incoming items
in categories, making sales more efficient as the items
will already be separated in categories that appeal to
students. Furthermore, this reduces the need for a great
amount of volunteers at the sales.
Regarding sales, we are aiming to increase Facilities
Sales to two per semester, each lasting two days rather
than one. Facilities staff has been constantly asking for
more sales and they are the customers from which we
get the most revenue in a single sale, taking a lot of items
students do not usually buy.
Abstract
Trash to Treasure is a student-run recycling and resale
program that began in 2005. Since then the program has
grown and extended its reach within UT and the city of
Austin as well. This program operates through a series
of donation drives and sale events held on campus. The
Donation Drives happen at the end of every semester.
Bins are placed in each dorm on campus during the last
two weeks they are open (usually between the last day
of class and the last day residence halls are open). Here,
students donate anything they no longer want to keep,
and it is usually during the Spring donation drive that we
collect the most items as it is also move out period. We
collect all of these items, weigh and record the amount,
and finally sort the items for the next semesters’ sales.
For the sale events, every semester we target 4 sales
for students and the general UT community, one for UT
Facilities staff, one Home Goods Sale for students during
move in period, and one Office Supply Swap for UT
departments and offices. All items are sold for $1 each.
Once sales are over, anything that is left over, we donate
to off campus charities and recyclers to make space for
the incoming inventory during the next Donation Drive.
Methods
At the beginning of every semester, we plan, schedule
and reserve the necessary spaces for the sales, as well
as submit the work order forms to Facilities for Events
and Moving to help us deliver the items to the location.
Two weeks in advance, we begin marketing efforts, poster
requests and gathering volunteers. Days before the sale,
we confirm volunteers, and the events and moving crew.
After every sale, money is counted by two staff members
and deposited at Facilities.
Two weeks before the Donation Drive begins, we contact
off campus charities and recyclers to schedule pickup
times to donate our leftover items, and make space
available for the incoming items. We also coordinate with
DHFS on marketing efforts inside the dorms as well as
request permission for the bins. Also, our own marketing
efforts are carried out, ordering posters and through social
media.
Accomplishments
Throughout this year, we have increased our inventory
as we have become more efficient in clearing the storage
allowing us to accept more items. We have accomplished
this by partnering with new recyclers and local charities.
Besides, during our sales, we have implemented new
promotional efforts and discounts, encouraging students
and faculty to take more items. We have increased our
number of sales per semester, and created new “themed”
ones: Office Supply Swap, and Home Goods Sale, with
the intention of targeting customer’s needs better and
making the sale of items much more efficient.
TRASH TO
TREASURE
Trash to Treasure Team
Rosa Moreleon, Tristan Baker
Campus Environmental Center
Fall 2015 - Spring 2016
Problem
UT students and faculty dispose of a lot
of items that end up in the landfill, when
they are in great condition and reusable
or otherwise, can be recycled.
Mission
Through a series of donation drives and
sales events, our mission is to divert
these items from going to the landfill by
collecting and sorting the unwanted items
from dorms and departments on campus,
and selling the items back to the UT
community for $1 each item, or donating
to local recyclers and charities.
KeyActivities
Organize 5-6 SALE EVENTS on campus,
and a donation drive at the end of the
semester
Schedule 4-5 PICKUPS with partnered
recyclers and charities
Recruit 25-35 volunteers per sale event
Target appropriate MARKETING AND
SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS
SORT AND RECORD weights of
incoming items in 11 categories
Maintain and use storage space as
efficiently as possible for additional
inventory
Key Metrics & Outcomes
19,500 lbs of items and inventory
10 SALE EVENTS, 2 DONATION
DRIVES
$6,300 in profits from sales
10,500 lbs of items donated to local
recyclers and charities
Acknowledgements
We cannot thank enough all of the guys that help us from
Events and Moving to make these events possible, as
well as the Facilities Staff and Student Activities Staff –
Kyle St. Nicholas.
Furthermore, we want to extend a special thank you to
all of those students who have volunteered at our sales
events.
Contact Information
Rosa Moreleon – Trash to Treasure Co-Coordinator
rosamoreleon@gmail.com
Tristan Baker – Trash to Treasure Co-Coordinator
tristan.baker18@gmail.com
Our team discussing composting materials sorting with patrons.
co-hosted by:
Office of Sustainability +
Campus Environmental Center
This project is led by students working at:
Office Supply Swap in August 2015 – Collected 3,500 lbs of items from
UT Departments and Offices
Storage Space at the beginning of the Fall semester, in August 2015 and
after most sales of Spring 2016