Sustainability at Reed

Reuse and Repair

Make a habit of reusing items such as paper bags, food containers, and packing materials. Take advantage of reuse programs on campus. Prioritize purchasing second-hand items such as clothing and furniture to reduce the production of new materials. Repair items to avoid having to buy new materials.

Reuse Programs on Campus

  • The Swap Shop bins: Reedies leave things they no longer want in the bins located on the lower level of the GCC, outside of the Swap Shop.
  • The Mailstop Packaging Reuse Station: Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to reuse any bubblewrap, air pillows, envelopes, packing peanuts, and/or boxes in the packing material area in front of the mailstop.
  • Donating Move-out Items: Students can bring unwanted room items and clothing to Reed's end-of-semester Stuff Swaps organized by Sustainable Reed. In addition, donation collection bins are in each residence hall during the last month of the semester to collect usable items for our community partners. 

Buying Used in Portland 

  • “The Bins” is a Goodwill pay-by-the-pound outlet on Ochoco Street in Sellwood with extremely cheap clothing, furniture, books, electronics, and household goods. There are more thrift shops nearby in Woodstock and Sellwood. Tip: buy shirts at the Bins when you need to print t-shirts for your club. 
  • Scrap is a second-hand craft store right off W Burnside. Volunteers get 20% off a purchase each time they volunteer. They also accept donations of a wide variety of materials.
  • The Rebuilding Center is a second-hand building materials store and education center. They sell building supplies, tools, furniture, and much more! They also offer classes on DIY home repair. They accept donations of many different materials.
  • Community Warehouse is a furniture bank that collects furniture and gives it to those in need. They also have an estate store in NE Portland.
  • Reclaim It! is a second-hand furniture and tools store in NE Portland.