ReUse Pack and Give Back Program
Moving and need to downsize? Bought or brought items you don't use and take up too much space?
- Get rid of items you don't need with the ReUse, Pack & Give Back Program where students can donate things they no longer need to ReUse! ReUse will sort, sell, or dispose of them.
- Starting December 13th, there will be Pack & Give back drop-off collections in the lobbies of: 17th Avenue Hall, Bailey Hall, Centennial Hall, Comstock Hall, Frontier Hall, Keeler Hall, Middlebrook Hall, Pioneer Hall, Sanford Hall, Territorial Hall, Radius Apartments, Yudof Hall, and Wilkins Hall.
- Donations to Pack and Give Back are open to ALL residents in the Marcy-Holmes, Southeast Como, Prospect Park, and Cedar-Riverside neighborhoods. Students living off campus can bring usable materials and items to the ReUse warehouse during open hours!
- Student hours for drop-off- Monday-Friday: 8:30am-3:30pm and Saturday: 10am-4pm
- Students are encouraged to donate things they no longer use or need.
What is the ReUse Program?
- The University of Minnesota ReUse Program collects surplus office furniture, supplies, equipment and parts from throughout the Twin Cities Campus and makes them available to University departments or individuals for purchase. The ReUse program works to:
- RELIEVE 250 University buildings of unwanted materials, fixtures and supplies.
- REDISTRIBUTE furniture & equipment valued at over $200,000 to U of M departments each year.
- RESELL a never-ending variety of items to the general public each Thursday and Saturday.
- RECYCLE unwanted steel, aluminum, wood, cardboard & paper.
- REDUCE campus construction waste that would otherwise end up at the landfill.
- General public & shopping hours are Thursday: 8:30am-5:00pm & Saturday: 10:00am-4:00pm. It is ILLEGAL to leave items outside of their building outside of open hours.
- The ReUse program normally only collects items owned by the University, but through the Pack and Give Back Program, students can donate items at specific times.
- There may be a small fee of 10 cents per pound for large quantities of materials that are refrigerated. Small quantities of most materials are accepted with no charge.
Shop at the ReUse Program for the holidays!
- Look on their ReUse Facebook Page to see items up for sale. The only way to buy something is to go in person, or over the phone during public hours.
- In the fall, many items from the Pack and Give Back program are available for FREE in the free store. Students should check out the Free Store prior to purchasing new items. This could make perfect affordable gifts for the holiday season.
- When purchasing items, they accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover (no checks)
- Check out our TikTok to see some of the many items they have!
- Great place to get sustainable gifts this holiday season!
ReUse Program | UMN Facilities Management
By Sunhari Jacob, Student Engagement Strategy Assistant
The 2026 Campus Conservation Challenge engaged more than 220 students in reducing residence hall energy use, resulting in measurable savings and increased sustainability engagement. The challenge demonstrated how collective action can create meaningful environmental impact on campus.
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has received a STARS® Gold rating! The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®) Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recognizes the long-term sustainability goals and performances for all higher education. Read the extended summary.
Check out an EV from HOURCAR and an electric Chevrolet Equinox from Fleet, and test ride bikes from Lime and scooters from Spin. Ice cream from the University Meat and Dairy Salesroom available while supplies last! Wed. May 27, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lilly Plaza.
Join the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for Bike to Work Day on Tuesday, May 12 from 8 to 10 a.m. and show your support for sustainable commuting! Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just getting started, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the ride, connect with fellow bikers and get rewarded for your pedal power. Stop by these two campus locations for FREE treats, giveaways and services:
- University Bike Center at Oak Street Ramp
- Pleasant Street SE at University Avenue
Upcoming Coffee Chat: Student Project Spotlight
Monday, May 4, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Our Sustainability student staff have been busy this semester! Join us to hear everything about student sustainability work happening at the Twin Cities and University Sustainability offices.
Speakers:
- Diya Shah - Graduate Student & Data Analyst Intern, University Sustainability
- Ella Chilson - Student Sustainability Assistant, University Sustainability
- Giselle Muñoz-Semple - Student Sustainability Assistant, University Sustainability
- Cole Becker - Student Sustainability Assistant, University Sustainability
- Yvonne Mongare - Undergraduate Student & Climate Resilience Public Health Task Force Coordinator, Focus on Vulnerable Communities, Office of Sustainability at Twin Cities
Recording coming soon
As Northrop approaches its centennial in 2029, the University of Minnesota landmark has reached a major milestone: one of the University’s most iconic and historic buildings is now Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) v4.1 Operations + Maintenance (O+M) Gold certified.
Northrop is the first University of Minnesota facility to achieve LEED Gold under this rigorous standard for existing buildings. The certification reflects Northrop’s commitment to honor its historic legacy while building for the future, demonstrating that sustainability is not limited to new construction. Historic buildings can also evolve, improve and lead. Read more about Northrop’s LEED Gold certification and what it means
Today, on World Health Day, University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham signed the Okanagan Charter, making the University a designated Health Promoting Campus.
The signing ceremony took place during the University’s Climate Resilience Teach-In, heralding the organization’s commitment to prioritizing health and sustainability. Read more about the University's commitment to the Okanagan Charter
Explore the future of sustainable transportation at the Fleet EV Test Drive and Car Show! Stop by Maroon Lot to check out electric vehicles available through University Fleet Services, learn more about EV options for departments that purchase or rent fleet vehicles. Wednesday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Maroon Lot, north side of Huntington Bank Stadium
April is Earth Month! Check out our frequently updated list of events to get involved. Check it out.
Have an event to share? Email us.
The Climate Teach-In returns on Tuesday, April 7 (World Health Day), this year with a focus on climate resilience. Check out the events of the day. 🏆 Know someone doing impactful climate justice or resilience work at the University? Nominate a faculty, staff or student colleague for the Climate Resilience Teach-In Honorary Recognition.