The Move Out Ann Arbor program began January 2024 and brings together the city, the University of Michigan, student organizations, the faith community and local aid agenices to provide information to students on ways to reuse or donate items that would otherwise be thrown away during move out.

Why are we doing this?

Each year in May and August, trash levels rise sharply as students move in and out of housing. During these months, landfill waste increases by more than 10% compared to the rest of the year. That adds up to about 2.8 million extra pounds of material — or roughly 78 pounds per off-campus student — going to the landfill in just two months.

Much of what is thrown away is not actually trash. It often includes usable housewares, furniture, clothing, cleaning supplies, and food.

At the same time, many people across Michigan are working hard to access these same basic necessities. This ongoing effort helps keep valuable items out of the landfill and connects them with people and organizations that can put them to good use.

Collaborators

Our collaborators include:

• Property managers: Oxford, Prime Student Housing, The Courtyards, and Campus Management
• The University of Michigan: Office of Campus Sustainability, Student Life Sustainability, Wolverine on Wheels, Planet Blue Sustainability Ambassadors, Beyond the Diag, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and Environ class 391
• Area non-profits that redistribute goods: Kiwanis, House N2 Home, Jewish Family Services and Salvation Army
• Faith organizations: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Lord of Light Lutheran Church
• This work is partially funded by a Washtenaw County Waste Sponsorship.

City Serviced Trash Dumpsters

Apartment sites in the Central Campus Area that have dumpster service provided by the city, may request an extra tip, at no additional cost, in the Spring for April 30 and May 1, 4, and 7 and in the Fall for August 10, 14, 17, 21, and 24. Apartment sites must pre-schedule with Customer Service at least 2 days prior to the day of requested service at 734.994.7336. During move in/out, requests for extra tips of dumpsters other than scheduled days will be available at the regular cost of $104 per tip.

Dumpsters will not be serviced if they are blocked by vehicles or have excess/overflowing trash. All trash must fit within the dumpster with the lid closed.

Blocked dumpsters will be serviced on the site’s next scheduled day. If the dumpster owner requests the city to return to service the dumpster, the scheduled tip rate of $65 will be assessed.

Getting an Extra Trash Dumpster

If you have need extra capacity during move in/out, you can schedule the placement of a temporary extra trash dumpster by contacting WM at 877-866.797.9018 or by email at CustomerServiceCM_GLA@wm.com. Find costs under special event dumpsters here.

Moving Out?

• Don't need the mini fridge?
• Did your bed size change?
• Too many plastic drawers from the dorms you no longer need?

Take our pledge below to tell us what, when, and where you will donate something you no longer need when you move this summer.

Consider selling items you no longer need, or giving them to fellow students. So many of your fellow students are on a budget or care about the environment. The more you give away, the less the same items need to be repurchased! Items can be sold on places like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Mercari.

Left over stuff you can't sell? Make a plan now to donate your household items, décor, clothing, nonperishable food and more! By donating your stuff, you can help families that were previously unhoused, provide food for fellow students, and reduce your waste to the landfill. View the City's reuse page for details of where to donate items.

Learn more about donating, storing, selling, or scheduling a pickup of the things you no longer need when you move this summer and how to get free stuff when you come back in the fall by checking out the tabs below.

Join our email list by clicking the "+ Follow" button in the blue header box above.

Moving To a New Place?

When you move somewhere new, there are always things you need. Want to do your part at keeping items out of the landfill? The more you “reuse" and share now, the less waste there will be.

Before moving, check with your roommates to make sure you are not bringing duplicate items, like small kitchen appliances, coffee tables, vacuums, rugs, etc.

For stuff you do have to buy, get them from one of the many places that sell gently used, good condition items, like:

• Scrap Creative Reuse for things like notebooks, pencils, markers, and crafts
• Kiwanis for furniture, organizers, lamps, appliances, bikes, and even mattresses
• Ann Arbor Thrift Shop for clothes, housewares, and linens

There are many organizations that can help you get settled, save some money and support the local economy!

• Reduced trash on the ground.
• Reduced citations for trash on the ground for property managers.
• Less turnover hassle.
• Reduced waste to landfill.
• Increased materials donated to those in need in the community.
• Emotional and mental benefit of knowing that you are helping others.
• Reduced hassle with a plan and outlets for materials.

The city has invited Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundation to participate. Kiwanis may accept:

• Gently used clothing
• Clean mattresses
• Furniture, in good condition
• Working, clean electric appliances including refrigerators
• Household goods

* Visit a2gov.org/recycle for more details on other recyclable materials.

• Scrap metal
• Clean block styrofoam only; NO peanuts, wrapping, or food packaging
• Cardboard

• Bagged trash
• Discarded furniture (if you can move it into the bunker without City staff assistance)

• Non-working freon containing appliances (freezers, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, AC window units)
• Televisions; electronics
• Liquids of any kind
• Biohazardous or hazardous waste
• Ovens and dishwashers