“This way you avoid being left with a pile of things at the end of the year that you spent money on, never used and that you now have to either donate or lug back home.”
As UVA’s sustainability manager for outreach and engagement, Garner oversees about 20 student interns who work to develop and promote environmentally conscious initiatives across campus.
One such initiative is the Green Your Dorm event, which teaches first-year students about integrating sustainable habits – such as washing clothes in cold water – into their daily routine to help them adjust to independent living.
An often overlooked sustainability habit is purchasing dorm supplies and decorations secondhand.
“It’s always kind of upsetting to see the amount of essentially new furniture that ends up in the dumpsters at the end of the school year because students can’t take it home or don’t have access to a donation site,” Garner said. “Buying used furniture is great because you can give an item a second life.”
Why buy second-hand?
Garner says secondhand shopping is a “win-win-win solution.”
“From a sustainability perspective, you are giving the items a second life and preventing them from ending up in landfill,” she explains. “Financially speaking, second-hand items are almost always significantly cheaper than new purchases.”
The ultimate “win,” Garner said, is the opportunity to support small businesses, particularly in the Charlottesville community.
Putting a little extra time and care into shopping for dorm decor and supplies can make a big difference. Here are some ways you can source inexpensive secondhand items.
Group chats led by students
Social media is a great way to connect with fellow students who are selling items at great prices.
A popular GroupMe chat, “Things for the Low,” has around 4,000 members, most of whom are UVA students buying and selling goods. Whether you’re looking for furniture, clothing, room decor, or textbooks, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for in this group. If you’re looking for something specific, send a message to ask about it.
If you find something you want, message the seller to arrange a time and place for pickup. For security reasons Verify the seller’s identity via UVA People Search and bring a friend to the meeting, preferably somewhere on site.
Asking your fellow students about things you need for the dorm will help you avoid waste and save money. To prevent hackers from joining these groups, ask your dorm advisor for the link to these chats when you arrive on campus.
Second-hand shops in Charlottesville
If you can’t find what you need through crowdsourcing, Charlottesville has several thrift stores and secondhand boutiques within walking distance or a Charlottesville Area Transit bus ride.
Twice Is Nice is a nonprofit thrift store that offers used furniture, clothing, jewelry, and home goods at a fraction of the original price. Most of the staff is volunteers, and all proceeds go toward improving the quality of life for Charlottesville’s seniors.
Twice Is Nice is located on Preston Avenue, across from the Dairy Market. For more options, check out Twice Is Nice II, also located across the street.
Vintage shops like Arsenic and Old Lace, Neon Soul and Low are located in the Downtown Mall and can be reached on foot or by CAT trolley. These shops offer older, repurposed clothing, accessories and furniture, but tend to be a bit more expensive.
“My personal favorite is Habitat for Humanity,” Garner said. The Habitat store on Harris Street sells furniture and home accessories at discounted prices.
UVA’s ReUSE Store
Located at 580 McCormick Rd., The ReUSE Store is a collection of surplus property – unclaimed or abandoned items, regardless of age and condition – from the University, some of which may be of use in student residences.
“I saw paintings, plants and a lot of other things for sale,” said Aliza Diop, one of the fourth-year interns in the Office of Sustainability. Anyone can purchase items at the ReUSE Store at a discounted price.
While there is no guarantee that you will find the items you need at the ReUSE Store, starting there before shopping at a large supermarket is helpful and a commitment to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Students can attend the “Green Your Dorm” event on August 30 from 1-3 p.m. in the Student Garden at the corner of Alderman and McCormick Roads to learn more about creating a more sustainable dorm environment.
