KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — College students across Knoxville are in the process of moving out as the academic year comes to an end. During this time of the year, dumpsters across the city tend to fill with used items of all kinds, ranging from furniture to televisions.
The University of Tennessee's Office of Sustainability is hoping to cut down on unnecessary waste through its "Free Store." It's an initiative that gives away gently used items, serving as a community-based resource for the campus community. All items in the store are donated by members of the UT community, and from the broader Knoxville community.
Those items include used clothes and other kinds of items. The store is located at 915 22nd Street and is open to all members of the UT community including students, faculty and staff. anyone who wants to donate to the free store can drop off donations in bins on the store's front porch. The store also hosts donation drives at residence halls, hoping to college gently used items.
"If you're moving out and you're no longer in need of an item, I know it's a stressful time of year, a lot of the things that you're using now can have an impact on students — either UT or just people in our community. So, definitely think twice about throwing something in the dumpster," said Maggie Atchley, a social impact coordinator with UT.
People can fill out a request form online to visit the Free Store outside of normal open hours, or to request specific items.