The ETSU Free Store

The ETSU Free Store is an initiative started to help promote sustainable use of our resources and to provide a free resource to our campus community.  It currently operates as a series of pop-up shops that will appear at different times throughout the academic year around campus.

Mission:

The mission of the ETSU Free Store is to be an available resource for students, faculty, and staff who may need clothing or other items.  Our hopes are that providing a free resource to the ETSU community will eliminate any stress or financial burden they have when purchasing these items. The Store also serves to address the issue of overconsumption of our resources through fast fashion and to act as a sustainable alternative to throwing away items that end up in the landfill. 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

• What is the Free Store?

  A campus wide initiative that is open to all students, staff, and faculty to shop for free, lightly-used clothing, shoes, accessories, school supplies and small dorm or apartment household items like lamps, small rugs, kitchenware, and various other goods.  You can shop the store at Free Store Pop-Up events during the academic year or if you need clothing at any time you can contact the Department of Sustainability to schedule an appointment.
• Why Visit the Free Store?

  • Reduce waste on campus
  • Combat Fast Fashion and reduce the over consumption of our resources
  • Social justice! You’re refusing to support companies that sell products from countries that prioritize profit over people and unethical treatment
  • Help to reduce air and water pollution
  • Save money!

  When you visit the ETSU Free Store, you can feel good knowing you are taking action that helps prevent the over-consumption of our world’s resources.  By choosing to reuse items you are contributing to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable environment

• Where do all the items for the Free Store come from?

  A majority of the items are collected during Move-Out.  Other items are donated throughout the year by individuals or offices around campus and our surrounding community members.
• How do I give?

  Donations are accepted throughout the year, by appointment only, at the Department of Sustainability Office (Bond Building, Room 108). Or you can drop your donations off at Bucky’s Food Pantry (Culp Center location) during their operating hours. Be sure to check their website for current hours of operation. To schedule an appointment, email the Sustainability Coordinator, Erica Malpass at malpass@etsu.edu or call 423-439-7766. 
• What can I take?

  If you find anything to take home, we please ask that you write the date and a short description of the items in the binder provided. Doing so helps us to maintain a rough sense for the number and types of items moving through the Store. 

  Additionally, please only take those items that you need. We want to be able to provide every ETSU community member the opportunity to take the items they are in most need of.

What to donate:

• Gently Clothing & Shoes
• Accessories
• Books
• School/Craft Supplies
• Cleaning Supplies
  - Brooms, mops, dust pans, vacuums
  - Unopened cleaning solutions
• Small Kitchenware
  - Cups, plates, mugs, etc.
• Small Housewares
  - Lamps, hangers, storage containers,
    rugs, mirrors, shower caddy
•  Small Appliances
  - Coffee pots, kettles, fans, clocks, irons

Dos and Don’ts of Donating

DO:

• Donate clothing, shoes, accessories, school supplies and small housewares and goods (plates, cups, lamps, rugs, decorations, etc.)
• Donate items that are gently used and in good condition
• Donate items that are clean and free of odor
• Donate current, fun and fashionable clothing 
• Donate clothes that no longer fit you or you don’t wear anymore

DO NOT:

• Donate clothes and shoes that are dirty and/or have a strong odor
• Donate large furniture items (please contact a local non-profit for these items)
• Donate clothes that are ripped, stained, and/or show obvious signs of excessive wear
• Donate infant/children’s clothing
• Donate underwear (unless in sealed, unopened packaging)

Please be mindful that we go through significant shifts in inventory depending on the season and may be able to accept more or less items depending on the available storage capacity.  We are working with a small storage space and are trying to accommodate everyone and all donations as we can!

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook - ETSU Sustainability or Instagram - @gogreenetsu for updates and announcements for pop-up shop locations!