Dump and Run

	Students Kathleen Jones (left) and Julie Hughes sift through huge piles of clothing, donated to the Dump and Run by students leaving Dalhousie's residences at the end of term. Kathleen was this year's Dump and Run organizer and Hughes is a third-year Civil Engineering student. Both are members of the Society for Corporate, Environmental and Social Responsibility. (Photo: Evan Radisic)

When the dust settled and the piles had diminished, more than $9,000 had been raised from this year's Dump and Run garage sale on Saturday, April 30.

Organized by the student-run Society for Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility, the event was in its fourth year. Dump and Runs started at colleges in the United States and have spread to Canadian universities in the last few years. The objective is simple - reduce end-of-term solid waste, while raising money for charity.

Every year, people in the south end complain about the number of old sofas, mattresses and other items that are left on the sidewalks when students move out in April. The Dump and Run organizers volunteer to pick up such castoff items, or they can be dropped off a number of days ahead of the sale. Then, on sale day, they are often sold to other students, who are setting up apartments. It is a clever way to recycle and keep some solid wastes out of the landfill.

Dalhousie's residences also get involved. Piles of clothing, donated by students as they left for the summer, were among the first items to arrive at the Dump and Run sale site.

A portion of the money raised goes toward the expenses of the Society for Corporate, Environmental and Social Responsibility. The rest goes to local charities.

What happens to things that do not sell? The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) picks up the left over items and sells them to Value Village. The money goes to the CDA.