It’s the end of the school year at Ohio State University and that means it’s time for Dump & Run. This is the tenth year when students who are heading home for the summer drop off all the stuff they don’t want to take with them. All these items are sorted and put into storage. Then the new students who show up in the fall have a chance to furnish their dorm rooms at a deep discount. The money the students raise for the re-sale will go to a local area food bank. That’s a classic win/win for everybody.

The university organization Students for Recycling promotes and runs it at Ohio State. “We estimate we probably divert 2 to 4 tons of material from landfills, whether it’s furniture, clothing or other stuff,” said Tricia Evans, president of the group. “It’s kind of cool.”

The common items that end up in the Dump & Run bins are futons, end tables, area rugs and lamps, irons, slow cookers and old-fashioned box TVs. Most of the high-end flat screens are taken back home. Students can also donate any unopened leftover food stuff.

“Six university-owned Greek houses received Dump & Run bins this year for the first time. Students for Recycling also are scheduled to sweep through the off-campus neighborhoods in a rented truck on July 20 to pick up donated couches and other larger furnishings, Swanger said. “Ohio State is known as a green campus. Recycling is easy here.”

That’s good news for the campus and for the rest of Ohio. Anytime you can keep something from being dumped into a landfill we all benefit. It’s that eco-friendly philosophy that has been embraced by Junk King Columbus. These are the junk removal specialists who happily haul away anything you want to get out of your home. If you’re eager to toss out big pieces of furniture like sofas, love seats or tables, Junk King will always try to reuse and recycle items when possible. They’ll also try and make sure pieces end up with local charities that refurbish and the re-sell the items just like those college kids. Don’t be embarrassed if your sofa is stained or there is a leg missing from a dresser. The charities can clean and fix whatever is donated. This is also a wonderful way to provide jobs and skills training for those in need.

You also don’t have to worry about carrying your furniture out to the curb like with many other types of companies. The Junk King Columbus crew will go into any room, down any basement stair or up any attic ladder to remove those items. You’ll be clearing your house of clutter and hopefully helping someone else along the way. It’s another win/win all around!