Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to donate to the 2023 Spectacular Spring Stuff Swap, which will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 in the Campus Center Atrium.

Hosted by the Office of Sustainability and Residence Hall Association, the event helps eliminate waste by redistributing unwanted items.

Organizers are collecting gently used clothing, shoes, books, office supplies, kitchenware, home goods, electronics, small appliances, decorations and other small items.

Throughout March, items can be dropped off at nine campus locations:

• Campus Center, Student Affairs Room 350 front desk.
• University Library, second-floor atrium front desk.
• Taylor Hall, Multicultural Center front desk.
• Education/Social Work building, Study Abroad office ES 2129B.
• O’Neill/Business building, O’Neill School front desk BS 3025.
• Ball Hall, lobby.
• North Hall, lobby.
• Riverwalk Apartments & Townhomes, community office.
• University Tower, lobby.

Cristina PadillaCristina Padilla, sustainability manager in the Office of Sustainability, talked to IUPUI Today about the event and how it serves the environment and the campus community.

Question: What are the unique benefits of donating to and participating in the Spectacular Spring Stuff Swap, compared to other thrifting options?

Answer: There are so many unique benefits. For one, folks who donate can be sure that their items will stay in and support our campus community. All items collected will be given away to IUPUI students, faculty and staff at absolutely no cost to them.

Additionally, this is a uniquely convenient way for our campus community to donate their gently used, unwanted items. Instead of going through the hassle of driving across town to a thrift store, especially for our on-campus residents who don’t have cars, instead they can donate those items right here on campus.

Q: The swap was held last year for the first time. What feedback did participants share?

A: We were truly overwhelmed with the positive feedback we received. People were genuinely so happy and grateful for the opportunity to pick up items they needed at no cost.

We heard from many students, especially international students, who had come to campus with very few personal items. This event helped them stock up on clothing, home goods and other quality items without breaking the bank.

Q: What type of items were most popular at last year’s swap?

A: There was such a wide variety of items donated, including clothing, electronics, office supplies, home goods, arts and craft supplies, and much more. The most popular items were the special finds — the brand-name clothing with tags still on, the Wii console with games and accessories included, the brand-new art supplies, the quirky collector’s items. We had a special table designated just for those special “treasures.”

Q: What items are not accepted as donations?

A: Items we will not accept include furniture or items larger than a microwave; anything damaged, expired or broken; and food or trash. We will also not accept any university property, which should all be sent to Surplus. If you are unsure whether your item can be donated, feel free to email us at sustindy@iupui.edu.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like the campus community to know about this initiative?

A: While this event is fun and whimsical (who doesn’t love shopping for free?!), it is a waste-diversion program at the end of the day. Through the stuff swap, we are preventing hundreds of pounds of perfectly good items from going to waste. But even better, we are putting these items into the hands of our campus community members who could really benefit from them. It is truly such a win-win.