At the end of every school year, students moving between apartments have bookcases, couches, lamps and clothes they can’t take with them.

So West Virginia University steps in to save all that usable material and sell it at the Blue and Gold Mine Sale, diverting tons of waste from the landfill and sending thousands of dollars to non-profit agencies.

“The Blue and Gold Mine Sale is a responsible and safe way to collect unwanted items from students when they move out each spring and gives community members the opportunity to donate as well,” said Stephanie Utt, WVU Facilities Management operations coordinator.

“By diverting unwanted goods from our local landfill, we are able to recycle thousands of items each year which benefits our environment as well as the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties.”

Sale collections have begun at various locations around campus. Each residence hall has a collection box. Trailers are stationed at the Area 81 parking lot at Mountaineer Station, the Student Recreation Center, Chateau Royale, in front of Summit Hall at the corner of Grant Avenue, and on Prospect Street.

This year, the University is trying something new with a community drop off at the Willowdale entrance to the Milan Puskar Center on May 14 from 8 a.m.-noon. Volunteers will be on hand to help donors unload their items quickly.

“We have had such a tremendous response from our dedicated faculty, students and staff in the past,” said Brett White, WVU’s United Way Campaign director. “With the addition of our Community Donation Day this year, we are excited to be able to reach out to the community at large as well.”

WVU will be collecting sale items until May 18.

In the six years the sale has been held, it has sent $75,000 to the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. The sale has a tremendous effect on recycling in Morgantown. Last year alone, the sale diverted 52 tons of material from the landfill.

This year the sale will be held May 21 with the early bird sale to begin at 7 a.m. with $3 admission. Admission is free from 8 a.m. to noon. It is held at the East gate of the Milan Puskar Stadium.

Those interested in volunteering with the sale for collections and sorting can contact Kim Mitchell at the United Way at 304-296-7525.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Stephanie Utt, WVU Facilities Management
304-293-6379, Stephanie.utt@mail.wvu.edu

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