Rutgers University and City of New Brunswick Partner to Help Students Properly Dispose of Their Bulk Waste

For third consecutive year, Project Move Out provides students in off-campus housing free curbside pick-up of bulk trash items

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Furniture, appliances, mattresses, electronic equipment, rugs. Each May, at the end of the academic year, Rutgers students residing in off-campus housing in New Brunswick typically discard tons of items they no longer need or don’t wish to take with them over the summer.

Historically, the students – predominantly those living in the 2nd, 5th, and 6th wards of the city – would haul this material to the curbs in front of their residences for New Brunswick Public Works to pick up. At least that was what they did until the introduction of Project Move Out. In 2012, the city and Rutgers joined forces to address the waste disposal problem that created an eyesore on New Brunswick streets and posed a hazard to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

Project Move Out provides free curbside pickup of bulk waste to students in specific neighborhoods of New Brunswick who register for the service. In 2012, Project Move Out collected nearly 50 tons of bulk waste. Last spring, more than 70 tons of material were collected.

“The collected materials are recycled, and we are able to recover the Freon from discarded appliances to make sure the chemical is disposed of properly,” said Dianne Gravatt, director of Rutgers Environmental Services and Grounds. “The students who participate in Project Move Out are helping their community and the environment.”

Students must preregister online by noon Wednesday, May 21. Collection of the bulk waste will take place between Thursday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 28. For registration and additional details, go to http://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/projectmoveout.

Project Move Out also provides students the opportunity to bring their bulk waste items to a collection point on campus without registration. Students with a Rutgers I.D. can bring their materials to Lot 30 behind the College Avenue Gym May 22, 23, 27 or 28, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The city is providing an additional option to students in off-campus residences. New Brunswick Public Works at 400 Jersey Ave. will be open on Saturday, May 31, and Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accept bulk items from Rutgers students who show proof of residency in New Brunswick.