Within its first two months, Reed College’s Swap Shop diverted over 1,000 pounds of clothing and smaller items from local landfills.
Born out of a partnership involving the Office of Student Engagement, sustainability staff, the Office of Institutional Diversity, Facilities Services, and Residence Life, the Swap Shop operates as a year-round fixture for campus reuse.
From Student Move-Out Donations to Campus Distribution
The pipeline begins each May during student move-out periods, when campus collection drives gather usable goods left behind by departing students. Over the summer, a student sustainability intern funded through the Social Justice Education and Research Fund processes the inventory, sorting, washing, and organizing the donations.
Items deemed suitable for campus life find a home in the Swap Shop, located in the GCC basement past the Community Pantry. Open to all Reed community members, the shop offers school supplies, wardrobe refreshes, and other donated goods entirely free of charge. During the 2023–24 academic year, the facility maintained operating hours from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., accessible with a campus ID swipe.
Tracking Waste Diversion and Local Shelter Partnerships
All visitors to the shop are asked to weigh the items they take so staff can track the total weight of material diverted from the landfill. That tracking yielded immediate results: in its first two months alone, the shop diverted over 1,000 pounds of clothing and smaller items.
Staff cleaned and found new homes for 10 mini-fridges, 35 full-length mirrors, and over a dozen lamps.
Re-Routing Excess Inventory Across Portland Shelters
Clothing in good condition that does not remain at the Swap Shop is distributed to local day shelters, including Rahab’s Sisters and Rose Haven. Meanwhile, household goods, furniture, and bedding are sent to Community Warehouse to assist Portland residents moving into permanent housing.
Ripped or stained scrap items are delivered to H&M for recycling, while stained towels and blankets are brought to the Humane Society. Community members interested in supporting the operation can volunteer by contacting sustainability coordinator Rachel Willis at [email protected] or following @SustainableReed on Instagram.
