Sustainability

Ditch the Dumpster

Ditch the Dumpster and Donate Instead!

The objective of this program is two-pronged: to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and to support local communities through our donations. Each year, as CC students graduate, study abroad, and move off campus, they often realize that they have accumulated more possessions than they need or can transport back home with them. Sadly, many of these items end up in landfills, even though they could have been recycled, composted, or donated.

For questions about Ditch the Dumpster, please email sustainability@coloradocollege.edu

What to Donate

Accepted & Not Accepted Donation List

Items that are donated during Ditch the Dumpster will be re-circulated back to CC students and the Colorado Springs community. PLEASE review the following list of accepted items. 

We're all about quality here - if your items are not working, growing mold, or are just in bad shape, consider giving them a second life BUT not through this donation program. Please be a responsible donor. Let's not forget, it's a team effort. Your student peers, staff, faculty, and community partners are the ones behind the scenes, organizing and handling all the donations. No one wants that water bottle that is growing mold in it...

Accepted Donations

non accepted donations

 

Ditch the Dumpster Map

Moving Out Early or Late?

CC Pantry Exchange

Moving out a little early OR just looking to drop off smaller amounts of donations? Check out the CC Pantry Exchange (located in the Worner Basement) that can take your 'stuff' year-round.  

The CC Pantry is open once a week but there is also a food shelf right outside the door. Students can drop off a few unopened items on this shelf as often as they would like. This way, other students can grab an item in a pinch. You can also donate reusable grocery bags on this shelf! 

The CC Exchange donations are accepted only during open hours (Weeks 1-3, Thursdays from 2-4 p.m.) during the academic year. Please review the website for more information about items that are accepted into the CC Exchange. 

E-Waste

The Office of Sustainability in partnership with ITS runs the e-waste program. 

There are many options for recycling your e-waste on campus. If you have a small amount of e-waste to recycle, bring your e-waste to one of our three drop-off locations across campus.

The three locations are:

  • Lower level of Worner Campus Center
  • First floor of Tutt Library across the front welcome desk
  • Office of Sustainability (1004 N Weber St) next to Donald E. Autrey Field

Toner can be dropped off on the first floor of Tutt Library next to the ITS office or on the lower level of Worner. For hazardous material disposal, contact Facilities Services at (719) 389-6568. 

Beyond CC

Are you moving out early or do you have VERY specific things you want to donate/dispose of properly? There are many other ways to donate/properly dispose of items during move-out. Check out the following places in town that will take your items if you are cleaning 'stuff' out before or after Ditch the Dumpster. 

  • Medication Disposal - Safely dispose of expired prescription drugs and vitamins at these locations:
  • General Donations - Some suggested organizations in Colorado Springs that will take general donations. Please be sure to check out their accepted items: 
    • Arc Thrift Store
      • 1830 W Uintah St A, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 (2.0 Miles Away)
    • Colorado Springs Rescue Mission
      • 1109 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (2.1 Miles Away)
    • Goodwill 
      • 2304 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 (2.5 Miles Away) 
  • Animal shelters across town will also accept a myriad of items. Please refer to this list when donating and where to donate: List Items & Locations 

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Report an issue - Last updated: 04/17/2025

When To Donate

Spring 2025 Dates: 
Starts: May 9th at Noon
Ends: Big 3 - May 15th End of Day
Ends: Hybl - May 19th End of Day

Where To Donate

Donation bins will be available in Block 8 when the program starts at the following locations: 

  • Loomis Lounge
  • Hybl Community Center
  • Mathias Lobby 
  • South Hall Commons

Collection locations can be accessed 24/7 to donate accepted items. Items will be accepted up until the end of the program. After the end of Ditch the Dumpster, it is the responsibility of the student to make donations of gently used, clean, and functional items directly to organizations that will accept them. 

Please DO NOT leave items behind in your room, main gathering areas, or outside the following collection locations as this creates a large burden on the Office of Sustainability, Residential Experience Staff, Facilities Services, Sodexo, and others who have to clean up your mess.  

Donation Partners

On-Campus Partners: Some items collected from DtD get re-distributed across campus to the following groups. 

  • Anything 'CC' branded, flair/costumes, and warmer coats & jackets gets donated to the CC Exchange.
    • Some winter jackets are distributed to Outdoor Education for their winter programs supporting student recreation accessibility. 
    • A portion of the 'CC' branded items are returned to the offices/departments on campus to which they belong. 
  • All unopened and unexpired food items are donated to the CC Pantry, as well as individually wrapped menstrual products such as tampons and pads.
  • CC-branded athletic wear, fitness items, and medical supplies are donated to the Adam F. Press Fitness Center. 
  • Dorm essentials such as hangers, small storage, fans, lamps, and mirrors are stored over the summer and given out FREE to students and their families during move-in at the Big 3 dorms in August in partnership with Residential Experience. 
  • Other items, such as live plants and smaller e-waste, are collected by the Office of Sustainability.

Off-Campus Partners: The remaining items that come through the donation are given to the following groups. 

  • The majority of donations are given to Silver Key Senior Services.
  • Partners in Housing receives all twin-size bedding. This includes sheets, comforters, and duvet covers.
  • Donations of school and art supplies are given to Who Gives a Scrap.
  • Foam-top mattresses will be sent to Urban Recycling for proper processing, as they are considered 'hard-to-recycle' and require specialized handling.
  • Non-donatable textiles will be given to Habitat for Humanity Re-Store for recycling. 

Donation Statistics

Statistics from Ditch the Dumpster Spring 2024:

  • DtD received over ~10,000 lbs. of donations during the 8-day run of the program
  • Over ~6,000 lbs. of clothing, sheets, blankets, and towels were sorted, bagged, and donated. 
  • The CC community showed up to support this program with 56 staff, faculty, and students taking time to assist with DtD throughout 12 shifts throughout the week. 
  • A total of 201 hours were spent setting up, maintaining the spaces, taking down the collection locations, organizing the CC Exchange, and more!