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Waste Minimization

Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store

Sharing Resources, Reducing Waste, and Encouraging Community

Terp to Terp Campus ReStore
Lisa Alexander, Coordinator of Sustainable Programs in the Department of Resident Life, opens the Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store to a guest.

Moving into a new apartment and realized you left your box of kitchen supplies behind? Don’t worry, set up an appointment with the free Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store and grab what you need.

Terp to Terp was created to respond to the essential needs of students while encouraging a culture of reuse, social responsibility, and waste minimization. Collecting and distributing unused or gently used small appliances, kitchen items, room accessories, and school supplies, Terp to Terp is a free resource available to all UMD students. Donations are collected throughout the year at the Campus Pantry or during Spring semester move out through donation drives like Terps Move-out Donation Drive.

The benefits of the free reuse store are immense — Terp to Terp encourages social responsibility by offering opportunities to reallocate useful items to individuals in need, preventing landfill waste and saving the University and students money. The University of Maryland strongly emphasizes waste minimization and diversion, offering campus-wide composting, recycling, and specialty recycling (glass, e-Waste, etc.). Other campus units implement targeted programs to help reduce waste generation within their operational areas, for example the Ocean Friendly Campus initiative by Dining Services or Terrapin Trader by the Office of Procurement and Business Services. Facilities Management considers waste reduction even during building construction, finding opportunities to reuse materials from demolition or using materials with recycled content when possible. 

Terp to Terp continues Res Life's nearly two-decades long effort to encourage waste reduction and social sustainability through the Terps Move-Out Donation Drive and other programs like Green Terp. It works alongside programs like the Campus Pantry and the Student Crisis Fund to support and foster success for all Terps. Since the pilot began in 2021, Terp to Terp has rapidly expanded, moving from a small storage closet to a storefront in Harford Hall, tripling students served and quadrupling donations between the first and second year of the program.

Terp to Terp is a free resource available to UMD students. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at: reslife.umd.edu/terptoterp.

Terp to Terp Logo

 


Terp to Terp Infographic: 25 types of items available

The Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store collects and distributes clean unused or gently used small appliances, kitchen items, room accessories, and school supplies. Some examples include coffee makers, microwaves, fans, vacuums, binders, notebooks, cutlery, pans, mirrors, hangers, closet organizers, and storage containers.


Terp to Terp Infographic: 80 students supported

The Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store is open and free to all UMD students regardless of financial status. The only requirement to shop at Terp to Terp is to bring your own bag to your appointment! Set up an appointment at: reslife.umd.edu/terptoterp.


Terp to Terp Infographic: 5000 in donations

During the semester, the Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store collects donations through the Campus Pantry. At the end of the academic year, donations during the annual Resident Life Move Out Donation Drive (previously Trash to Treasure), and from other affiliated local move-out programs.


Terp to Terp Infographic: 5000 in donations

In 2021, the Sustainability Fund awarded Terp to Terp Campus ReUse Store a grant to support the continue expansion of the program. With these funds, the program will order more supplies, hire student staff support, and explore future opportunities to support the essential needs of students.

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