Goodwill, Not Landfill 2026: BU’s Biggest Move-Out Diversion Effort Yet
Our Story
As another academic year came to a close, Boston University students once again proved that move-out season can be about more than just getting rid of unwanted items. Through BU Sustainability’s annual Goodwill, Not Landfill (GWNL) program, thousands of reusable materials were diverted from disposal and redirected back into the community through donation, reuse, recycling, and recovery efforts.
Since launching in 2009, Goodwill, Not Landfill has grown into one of the largest collegiate move-out diversion programs in the country. What began with just seven tons of collected material has evolved into a campus-wide operation that has diverted more than 2 million pounds of material from landfills and incinerators over the last 17 years.
Expanding and Improving in 2026
Each year, the GWNL program evolves to meet the changing needs of students and campus operations. In 2026, several changes were introduced to improve accessibility and streamline the move-out process.
A new drop-off location was added at 722 Commonwealth Avenue, the Danielsen Hall collection site was relocated, and donation hours were expanded to include the Saturday before Commencement. South Campus donation tents once again served as major collection hubs, allowing students to easily donate larger household items, furnishings, textiles, and kitchen supplies before leaving campus.
As the program continues to grow, so does the amount of material it handles.
This spring, GWNL diverted more than 128,000 pounds of material from landfills and incinerators, enough to fill approximately 9.7 tractor-trailers. Senior move-out alone accounted for four trailer loads of reusable goods.
More than 114,000 pounds of furniture, clothing, and household items were donated through Goodwill Industries, while nearly 14,000 pounds of mattress toppers were recycled through specialty recycling programs.
Food recovery efforts also expanded. After collecting 689 pounds of food in 2025, this year’s campaign recovered 1,182 pounds of unopened, shelf-stable food, with 965 pounds donated to the BU Food Pantry and another 217 pounds supporting the Medford Food Pantry.
Additional collection streams included rugs, menstrual products, and laundry detergent. Through the Laundering for Good program, donated bedding will be cleaned and redistributed to local organizations serving transitional housing and individuals experiencing homelessness. This summer alone, the program expects to provide upwards of 500 bedding sets to homeless shelters, recovery centers, and other social service programs in our community.
The Team Behind the Effort
A program of this scale would not be possible without the support of BU students and our campus partners.
This spring, GWNL employed 19 members of the Goodwill Operations Assistance Team, or GOATs, our largest team to date. Working alongside Facilities Management & Operations, Residence Life, custodial staff, and community partners, the GOATs helped organize collection areas, educate residents, and keep move-out operations running smoothly.
“The GOATs have really influenced taking GWNL from a program that was a band-aid on a problem to something that helps support a much larger, formalized move-out operation,” said Sarah Healy, our Zero Waste Manager.
Their presence across campus has helped increase awareness of the program while strengthening relationships between students, Residence Life staff, and other operational teams involved in GWNL.
Looking Ahead
As donations continue to increase each year, BU Sustainability is exploring ways to expand reuse opportunities for our community. New and emerging programs focused on items such as hangers and other college-specific materials are already underway, with the long-term goal of keeping more of these usable goods circulating on campus.
While managing larger volumes of material presents new challenges, planning for move-out begins months in advance, and the team is already looking ahead to next year.
For students interested in supporting future sustainability efforts, opportunities to join the GOAT program will open next spring.