Project Move-Out to Keep Student Waste Out of Landfill

The current semester at Rutgers University is nearing a close, and the university and the city are again asking students to work with them on managing the amount of bulk waste that will be left behind.

Project Move-Out is a joint effort between the city of New Brunswick and Rutgers for the purpose of proper disposal of bulk waste left by students moving out of their residences at the end of the semester.

Last year's roll-out of the program resulted in 300 students registering for waste disposal assistance and 50 tons of bulk waste being recycled or properly disposed of, said Dave DeHart, Associate Director of Environmental Services at Rutgers.

Free curbside pickup can be scheduled through the program by registering by May 22.

Bulk waste, which includes appliances, furniture, mattresses, electronics and rugs, is collected by a recycling company. Anything that cannot be recycled is taken to a waste energy program to be used as fuel, DeHart said.

"Nothing goes to the landfill," he said.

Project Move-Out came together after city officials initially suggested a one-month moratorium on bulk waste pickup after the waste left curbside by students moving out became too much for the city sanitation department to handle.

After city residents and students protested the measure, Rutgers and New Brunswick came together to address the issue jointly.

Students who do not register for bulk waste pickup or contact the city to schedule a pickup face possible fines for dumping items curbside, according to Rutgers.

Rutgers will operate a drop-off spot in parking lot 30, behind the College Avenue gymnasium, for students to bring their large items for disposal.

Students may drop off their items between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on May 23-24 and May 28-29, DeHart said.

Registration is not required, but students must show a valid student ID, he said.

Regular household garbage and recycling are not permitted to be dropped off at the College Avenue spot, DeHart said.

The city of New Brunswick will also operate a drop-off spot at the Public Works department, 400 Jersey Ave. between the hours of 10 a.m and 2 p.m. on May 18, June 1 and 8, according to city spokesman Russell Marchetta.

Proof of residence in New Brunswick is required to dispose of items at those drop-off dates, Marchetta said.

For more information on Operation Move-Out, including registration and a schedule of curbside pickup dates, visit http://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/projectmoveout.