New York academic institutions are introducing sustainability-focused shopping options for students. NYU has opened its first 'Swap Shop,' where items left behind by former students are made available to others. The New School is also holding its 'Free Sale' for the second consecutive year. Both programs are designed to reduce waste through reuse and redistribution of goods.
NYU’s swap event, which began last Saturday, featured a variety of items such as microwaves and books, drawing large numbers of students seeking dorm essentials. According to ABC7NY, the initiative is intended to reduce costs and limit waste. The New School is also holding its 'Free Sale' event, offering students a selection of dorm necessities. The event is organized by Shannon Hughes, a senior film major, who launched the initiative in response to the volume of items discarded at the end of the academic year.
Hughes' inspiration was to reduce the refuse that typically accumulates when students vacate their housing. Her drive to facilitate these positive changes was reinforced by lessons from her class "Waste Injustice," which addressed trash disparities affecting lower-income communities. "Doing this reminds me of home and makes me feel like I’m making a difference in somebody's life," Hughes shared with The Post. The New School's initiative includes items alongside practical dorm furnishings.
NYU’s Swap Shop, open through Saturday, offers students with valid IDs access to a wide range of items, including pirate costumes and crutches, encouraging consideration of alternative consumption practices. Kate Koblegarde, a junior involved in organizing the event, noted that a nearby vintage store contributed donations in support of the initiative. "One kind French man named Sam donated some very nice clothing and high-quality furniture from his vintage store nearby that was closing," Koblegarde told The Post.
Both institutions acknowledge the significant amount of waste produced by students each year. According to nonprofit Planet Aid, cited by The New School’s Hughes, the average college student generates 640 pounds of trash annually, a total that increases substantially when considering the entire student population. This data supports initiatives like the Swap Shop and Free Sale, which promote reuse and recycling among college students in New York City. During the events, an NYU student is also seeking to recover a T-shirt with a cat pun that was accidentally donated.
