Bins stacked at a warehouse where University of Arizona students were sorting through things left behind when the school year ended, 2017.
A warehouse near Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson is busy with a select group of students working through the stuff University of Arizona freshmen left in 800 dorm rooms when they departed for the summer.
The cavernous building will be site of next month’s one-day Wildcat Welcome Rummage Sale, where castoff microwave ovens, mini-fridges, decorator rugs and other used dorm-room items will be sold at low cost to the general public.
“This is our general donation area,” said UA junior Michael Beauregard, leader of the student team organizing the clutter in preparation for resale. “We have, like, irons, books. Over here we have the wood furniture. We actually have to go through this stuff and sort it out for the sale as well.”
VIEW LARGER Blankets and comforters were among the many things being sorted for auction by the University of Arizona. The UA Office of Sustainability, Residence Life, the Green Team, Procurement and Contracting Services, and others have partnered for the event. Items come from 15 recently vacated dorms – up from five that contributed last year – as part of the Dodge the Dumpster campaign, which encouraged students to donate items rather than throw them in the trash.
“This project aims to make sure that there’s an outlet for stuff, rather than the dumpster,” Beauregard said. “It’s all meant to serve the community, and give them an opportunity to come and get the supplies they need, for less.”
The rummage sale will be held July 29 at the Paul and Alice Baker Distribution Center, 3740 E. 34th St. Doors open at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or until items are sold. Cash is not accepted, and you must register first to participate.
Bryn Bailer is a freelance journalist based in Tucson.
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