ATLANTA – A Georgia Tech program that gives a second life to household items left behind by departing students is getting a new home.
The second-hand store “Green Goodbyes” has been offering students a shopping opportunity since 2021. The program offers all current students at the university the opportunity to purchase used items such as household appliances, pots and pans, clothing and dishes.
And the best part: Everything is free of charge, as the costs are collected when the students move out.
“These items still have a long lifespan and through this program we can help meet the needs of our students. Whether it’s international students who can’t take these items with them or students who may not be able to afford to buy everything new, this store will fill a need,” said Julie Birchfield, Director of Community Engagement.
While the original store was only a limited-time event, the new store will be a permanent year-round location on the second floor of Barnes & Noble at Georgia Tech.
The program not only helps students who may not have the money to purchase these items on a regular basis, but also helps reduce waste.
“Without the program, many of these items would have been left behind and thrown away when people moved out. This is a great way to extend the useful life of household items and clothing instead of letting them pile up in landfills,” Birchfield said.
The store opened on Monday. At the beginning of the semester, opening hours are weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From August 26, opening hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The store is open for up to eight students at a time.
Click here to learn more about the program and how to donate to the store.
